Inside the Beltway: Mike Johnson retains his title as president with the support of Donald Trump

NEWS AND NOTICES:

President of the House Mike Johnson received energetic media coverage following his re-election on Friday. The media had a lot to say about the Louisiana Republican. Here are some headlines from the last 48 hours:

“How Mike Johnson (and Donald Trump) did it” (Politico); “Trouble Ahead for Mike Johnson? (The Associated Press); “Mike Johnson wins President’s vote after Trump twists his arms” (The Wall Street Journal); and “Mike Johnson is hanging in there, but his challenges are just beginning” (NBC News).

And a few others:

“Mike Johnson re-elected president after brief revolt” (Axios); “The senator. Banks: “I don’t think Mike Johnson would have been president” without Trump” (The Hill); “Mike Johnson re-elected Speaker of the House in a dramatic first-ballot vote” (PBS); “Republicans reelect Mike Johnson as House speaker in bitter vote” (Al Jazeera); “Mike Johnson Gives Donald Trump New Deadline on Reconciliation Bill” (Newsweek); and “President Johnson Reveals How Trump Wants Congress to Handle Business in First Hundred Days” (Fox News).

Trump’s property

The Grand Old Party has an additional designation.

“It’s now Trump’s party,” warns author Matt Margoliscolumnist for PJMedia.com, in an analysis published Sunday.

“The House speakership vote this week was expected to be a prolonged and contentious ordeal, raising concerns about a potential constitutional crisis if a president could not be elected in time to certify the 2024 election before Election Day. ‘inauguration. Instead, it became a testimony to Donald Trump“The Republican Party’s firm grip on the Republican Party – underscoring its ability to steer the GOP toward unity when it matters most,” Mr. Margolis said.

ONE FOR SCHOLARS

Here’s a reminder from the Heritage Foundation for those who are academically inclined.

Heritage offers the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Awards, an initiative to support higher education students whose research aligns with the foundation’s values.

“The award, which is currently accepting applications through March 3, will award awards between $15,000 and $20,000 to full-time and adjunct faculty members at U.S. colleges, universities or seminaries who are actively engaged in research and teaching that advance Heritage’s priority policy issues, as well as broader issues related to freedom and opportunity,” the organization said in a press release.

“Additionally, as the nation approaches the semi-quincentennial, the Heritage Foundation is accepting applications in 2025 from scholars whose work relates to the American founding and celebrates and promotes America’s 250th anniversary. The winners will also be invited to participate in a summer conference and workshop,” the press release said.

Find information at Heritage.org/press, listed under press releases.

“The Freedom and Opportunity Academic Awards are our investment in courageous scholars who are committed to advancing research that supports freedom, human flourishing, and the values ​​that make America great. This is not just about an academic inquiry: it is about securing the future of freedom and opportunity in this country,” said the Heritage Foundation president. Kevin Roberts said in a written statement.

A SENATOR’S ADVICE

Here’s an interesting conversation from “Fox News Sunday,” featuring the anchor Jacqui Heinrich and the senator. Bill CassidyLouisiana Republican:

“The senator, the FBI, DHS and the National Counterterrorism Center have warned of potential copycat attacks after what we saw in New Orleans. There are several large-scale events coming up, from the Super Bowl in New Orleans to the inauguration in Washington. Are we doing enough to prevent something like this from happening again? » asked Ms. Heinrich.

“I can promise you that everything they can imagine will be done. They don’t want to look bad, first of all. And second, more importantly, they want to protect the American people. But we have to recognize that wherever there are so-called soft targets, wherever there is a street festival in a big city, there is a risk of something bad happening,” Cassidy responded. .

“So I encourage the American people to be vigilant, to report things that seem like they shouldn’t be that way, but also to live their lives with courage. What terrorists want is to terrorize us, that is to say: ‘I’m too afraid to live in freedom,'” he continued.

“You must be bold and live in freedom,” Mr. Cassidy said. “This is the best way to fight terrorism.”

IT’S ALWAYS A PARTY

So, is it time to sleep in the nation’s capital now that winter has arrived? Um, no. Just ask Things to Do, a Maryland-based event planner that curates “experiences for young professionals,” according to its mission statement.

According to a schedule shared with Inside the Beltway, here’s a partial list of big activities, starting Jan. 17 and continuing through Valentine’s Day, verbatim from the source, caps and all:

They include an evening at the Saudi embassy; Serbian New Year celebration at the ambassador’s residence; An evening at the Armenian embassy; Saturday evening at the French Embassy: La Gallette des Rois 2025; Caribbean celebration at the residence of the Ambassador of Grenada; and the Caribbean Multi-Embassy Diplomatic Valentine’s Day Gala at the Organization of American States.

Among the features of all or part of these remarkable gatherings: live music, native food, fashion shows, dancing and dance classes, cocktails of course and friendly conversation. Find details at Thingstododc.com.

POLL OF THE DAY

• 35% of American adults say they are “excited” about the next four years with Donald Trump as president.

• 76% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 3% of Democrats agree.

• 16% of respondents overall feel “satisfied but not enthusiastic” about the next four years of Mr. Trump’s presidency.

• 18% of Republicans, 20% of independents and 11% of Democrats agree.

• 14% say they feel “dissatisfied but not upset” about the next four years.

• 2% of Republicans, 17% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

• 28% of respondents say they are “upset” by the next four years.

• 2% of Republicans, 26% of independents and 58% of Democrats agree.

• Overall, 7% say they are “not sure” how they feel.

• 2% of Republicans, 13% of independents and 6% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,552 American adults conducted online December 29-31.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.