Mike Johnson’s Path Gets Tougher

Bill O’Reilly spent time with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last week, leading him to observe: “Trump well understands the vast power he now possesses.” He adds that Trump “good-naturedly cited some examples of once enemies who are now currying favor. He does not gloat, but it’s clear he is savoring his prominence…”

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told Fox News that his goal is to pass one ambitious legislative package in early April, although that timing might slip into May. The legislation would extend the Trump tax cuts and include other items on the new president’s agenda. However, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was still skeptical, saying he’s “very worried” that not tackling the border quickly will cause national security problems.

“Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned Monday of potential repercussions for bilateral trade following U. S. President Joe Biden’s decision to block a $14.1 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp. by Nippon Steel Corp,” Kyodo News reports. “His remarks come as the Japanese steelmaker, the world’s fourth-largest by production volume, prepares to file a lawsuit over Biden’s decision, which was announced Friday.”

“Few politicians in America face a tougher reelection than Eric Adams – New York City’s mayor is battling bribery charges, a multi-million-dollar campaign hit, angry voters and the departure of scandal-scarred top aides,” Politico reports. “Still, the enigmatic mayor maintains a narrow path to reelection… Adams laid out how he intends to go on the offensive in the coming weeks: He’s going to demand changes to the state’s controversial bail reform laws and pointedly remind voters that his most well known possible challenger — former Gov.

Incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told Axios that she aims for the West Wing to be a no-drama zone for staff. Said Wiles: “I don’t welcome people who want to work solo or be a star. My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama.

“President-elect Donald Trump’s aides are exploring tariff plans that would be applied to every country but only cover critical imports, three people familiar with the matter said — a key shift from his plans during the 2024 presidential campaign,” the Washington Post reports. “If implemented, the emerging plans would pare back the most sweeping elements of Trump’s campaign plans but still would be likely to upend global trade and carry major consequences for the U.