The Note: Welcome To The Martin O???malley Moment

President Biden told USA Today that he would’ve won re-election: “It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes.” But he was unsure if he could have served another full four-year term: “So far, so good. But who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old? … Who the hell knows?”

“Crossings into the United States from Mexico dropped sharply last year. But countries south of the U. S. border are waiting nervously to see if President-elect Donald Trump orders mass deportations,” the New York Times reports. “The possibility that millions of undocumented immigrants could be expelled — what would be the largest deportation program in American history — has sent shock waves through Latin America and sowed confusion among migrants and asylum seekers.”

Politico: “While exact details weren’t available, one proposal being discussed would allow married couples to deduct $20,000 of their state and local taxes from their federal income taxes. Under current law, married couples can deduct only $10,000, which is the same for single taxpayers.” “In return, the so-called SALT Republicans will be expected to fall in line behind a sweeping tax bill the GOP hopes to enact later this year.”

“I would consider it a privilege to be taken over by the United States of America.” — Fox News host Jesse Watters, to Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Fox News.

Washington Post: “With a storm just passed and snow blanketing the region, scores of onlookers flanked Pennsylvania Avenue NW, bathed in icy air and waning sunshine, as a military procession escorted the caisson up Capitol Hill from the U. S. Navy Memorial — a mile-long solemn march that recalled a walk of triumph by the 39th president on a similarly cold and bright afternoon nearly half a century ago.”

“Democrats retained control of Virginia’s General Assembly in special elections Tuesday, according to projections from the Associated Press, dimming Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s prospects for a big legislative legacy,” the Washington Post reports. “Republicans could have upset the balance of power in Richmond — and given Youngkin (R) the chance to restrict abortion, fund private-school vouchers and advance the rest of his conservative agenda in the final year of his term — had they flipped two Loudoun County seats on the ballot.”