The vessel has been seized, as you know, and the Department of Justice did that in conjunction

with the Coast Guard and the Department of War. The vessel is currently undergoing a forfeiter

process right now. The United States currently has a full investigative team on the ground,

on the vessel, and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed and any relevant

evidence is being seized. And the United States does intend to seize the oil. However, there is a

legal process for the seizure of that oil and that legal process will be followed.

That was White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt yesterday, giving an update on the oil tanker

seized by the U.S. military off the coast of Venezuela.

The question is, how does a pressure campaign on Venezuela and a possible ground invasion fit into the America First agenda?

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, senators yesterday failed to advance two partisan proposals to extend health care subsidies.

It comes less than three weeks before insurance

premiums are set to spike for millions of Americans. The question is, is there any hope that Congress

can get a deal done before lawmakers go home for the holidays? Also ahead, Republicans in Indiana

defy President Trump rejecting his push for a new congressional map there. The question is,

is that an act of

defiance or just a blip? Another sign of the president's waning grip on the party. It's way

too early for this.

Good morning and welcome to way too early. The show that's definitely ready to watch the first two episodes of Taylor Swift's Ares Tour docu-series.

You know I had to do it. I'm Ali Vitale on this Friday, December 12th. We're going to start with the news.

The seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela may not have been an isolated mission.

The White House said yesterday the U.S. government would be willing to continue overtaking ships

as the Trump administration escalates its growing pressure campaign on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

...