For the first family, there are always reminders in the White House decor of their roots. This year, the official White House Christmas tree has a carousel wrapped around it, reminiscent of summers at the New Jersey shore. The 18.5-foot Fraser Fir from North Carolina is in the East Wing's Blue Room.

President Joe Biden agreed to provide $571.3 million in defense support for Taiwan, the White House said, following China's massing of naval forces around Taiwan last week.