An Unquiet Death, Chapter 3: A Fateful Homecoming

Speaker Mike Johnson has decided to remove Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, a major shakeup of one of the most prized committees on Capitol Hill, Punchbowl News reports. “Two issues weighed against Turner, according to sources familiar with the decision. People in President-elect Donald Trump’s orbit were opposed to Turner continuing as Intel chair.

President Biden warned Americans of a “dangerous concentration of power” in the hands of a “very few ultra-wealthy people” and the impact he feared it would have on the country’s democracy as he delivered a farewell address Wednesday from the Oval Office, Bloomberg reports. Said Biden: “Today an oligarchy is taking shape in America — of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.” New York Times: “It is notable that Biden, who has long been an institutionalist, used his final farewell address to call for major changes to the systems he has spent decades defending.”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has been telling potential donors and Florida political players that he is running for governor in 2026, the clearest signal yet that his much-expected bid is moving forward, NBC News reports.

The television networks have adjusted their prime time schedules to make room for President Biden’s farewell address to the nation at 8 p.m. ET. Leave your reactions in the comments.

At her confirmation hearing Wednesday, Pam Bondi probably made sure she will become attorney general. She did that, however, by pretending to be an idiot. The former Florida attorney general and lobbyist refused to confirm that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, declined to oppose pardons for violent January 6 attackers, would not say if she would carry out an illegal order from Trump, and professed ignorance of a wide array of controversial statements by the incoming president. Such answers reflect the reality that Bondi depends on Trump’s continued support; already has the backing of GOP senators; and simply doesn’t need any Democratic votes to secure the job. Bondi acknowledged Wednesday that Biden is, in fact, president.

"University administrators met with the Nevada [UNR] volleyball team and discussed scenarios of what could happen if they chose not to play."