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-Editorial
Following a sweeping victory in the 2024 Presidential election, Republicans now hold the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. With Congress unified under Republican control, President-Elect Donald Trump, set to begin his second term in January 2025, is positioned to advance his legislative priorities with minimal resistance from the opposing party.
The GOP’s new dominance in Congress provides Trump a significant advantage as he enters his second term. Republican leaders have expressed commitment to quickly moving forward with the president-elect’s agenda, which includes policies on economic growth, tax reform, and bolstering national security.
Also, House Republicans again nominated Speaker Johnson to lead the House Republican Conference and continue serving as the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress.
“We had a very productive day together as a Republican Conference, and the theme that you’ll hear over and over from all of our members across the conference is that we are unified and energized and ready to go,” Speaker Johnson said. “We have to deliver for the American people beginning on day one in the new Congress, and we will be ready for that.”
On the Senate side, U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected Senate Majority Leader, succeeding longtime Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Thune addressed the Senate Republican leadership press conference, introducing the team for the upcoming 119th Congress and outlining a bold, unified vision for the GOP.
In his remarks, Thune emphasized the party’s commitment to reversing the policies of the Biden administration and advancing President Trump’s agenda. He pledged to work alongside the House to strengthen border security, reduce regulatory burdens, and prioritize American energy dominance, which he says will lower costs for citizens and reinforce national security. Thune expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their trust, promising to lead the entire Republican conference with an ambitious legislative agenda.
Earlier that day, Trump visited the White House to meet with President Joe Biden, marking the official start of the presidential transition. Meanwhile, Trump’s cabinet choices began to take shape, reflecting his administration’s vision for the next four years.
President-elect Donald Trump announced key cabinet picks on Wednesday, selecting Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, and former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Trump’s choices reflect a mix of loyalty and disruption, signaling his intent to reshape the Justice Department and national security landscape.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general has sparked immediate controversy, underscoring Trump’s preference for fiercely loyal allies. Gaetz, known for his divisive stances within his own party, was not widely anticipated for the role; his selection was first announced on Trump’s social media network rather than through a formal transition statement. House Speaker Johnson confirmed Gaetz’s resignation from Congress on Wednesday, a move that effectively ends the House Ethics Committee’s probe into child sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz without an official report.
Trump has appointed four top advisors from his campaign to serve in senior White House roles. Dan Scavino will return as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff, bringing years of experience as a close Trump aide. Stephen Miller, a longtime policy advisor, will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. James Blair will take on responsibilities for legislative, political, and public affairs, while Taylor Budowich will lead communications and personnel efforts. Trump expressed confidence in the team, highlighting their campaign experience and commitment to his administration’s goals.
