President Obama Reiterates Concern About Iran’s Election

Donald Trump announced Morgan Ortagus as his choice for deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace, but he didn’t seem that enthusiastic. Said Trump: “Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson.” He added: “These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them.

“I think he has been responsive to his members, but he’s got a lot of folks that are headed in different directions.” — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), quoted by NBC News, on Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) challenging position.

Politico: “His margin is only set to shrink in the near-term as some members leave for positions in the Trump administration, and he can currently only afford to lose one GOP vote on partisan legislation. He’ll need near, if not complete, unity to pass Trump’s agenda on the border, energy and taxes — or anything else.” “If he relies on Democrats to move must-pass items like spending legislation now that the GOP has total control of Congress, he’ll risk a severe backlash from his right flank.”

A senior House Republican gave Playbook a somber reality check shortly after Mike Johnson clinched the gavel in a nail-biter vote yesterday. “Expect ‘friction’ within the GOP ranks over any big legislation this Congress, given the razor-thin majority, this Republican said. Even with a governing trifecta, Republicans will need Democratic votes to fund the government, this person added, and their ambitious party-line budget reconciliation plans will turn into a ‘shit show’ if just a few House Republicans balk.” Rep.

Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes announced last night she quit the Washington Post reports after editors killed a cartoon that depicted owner Jeff Bezos, among others, genuflecting to President-elect Donald Trump.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) has emerged as a late and leading contender to succeed Vice President-elect JD Vance in the Senate, NBC News reports.