FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, July 7, 2023, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Former President Donald Trump's decision to back out of Fox News' first GOP primary debate this week likely costs the network a chance at a very large audience for the end of summer. It also tests the network's ability to pivot yet again after what has been a tough year, paying $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit just as a trial was to begin, and firing popular personality Tucker Carlson shortly after the settlement. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A quick recap of the day and what to look forward to tomorrow
Former President Trump traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, where he appeared in court as his lawyers made the case for a broad view of presidential immunity amid various legal challenges.
The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch, Zach Schonfeld and Ella Lee report that “Trump’s lawyers took a firm position, arguing former presidents such as Trump can only face prosecution if they are first impeached and then convicted by the Senate.”
A three-judge panel of D.C.’s Circuit Court of Appeals — comprised of two Biden nominees and one George H.W. Bush nominee — appeared broadly skeptical of the Trump team’s arguments, according to The Hill’s reporters.
It marked the first time Trump and special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor leading two federal cases against the former president, have been in the same room since Trump’s arraignment in August.
Trump largely stared ahead during the hour-plus argument, sharing occasional notes or comments with his lawyers.
A defiant Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) took to the Senate floor upon return from the holiday break to strike back at claims that he was being financially influenced by other countries.
GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley picked up an endorsement from an unconventional ally Tuesday: “Judge Judy” Sheindlin.
Austin reveals cancer diagnosis; WH says Biden unaware
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is being treated for prostate cancer, the Biden administration said Tuesday, after the nation’s top Pentagon official mysteriously was reported to be suffering a health emergency that kept him out for several days.
A Pentagon spokesman said that day-to-day operations of the Defense Department had not been altered. Austin had not disclosed to the public that he was seeking treatment for a health issue in December. President Biden similarly learned of Austin’s cancer diagnosis on Tuesday, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
THE HILL EXCLUSIVE: Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) has demanded answers about “what exactly happened” after Biden, the White House and other top defense officials were unaware for days that Austin had been hospitalized last week following a complication.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a huge challenge as the already narrow GOP majority in the chamber faces potential splintering over several big legislative pushes, including a more immediate funding deal.
House Republicans have also signaled major differences from members of both parties in the Senate over efforts to secure the border and provide continued support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) says he’s not in favor of giving Johnson the boot, just yet: “That’s not the road I prefer,” Roy said in an interview with CNN this week. “I didn’t prefer to go down that road with Speaker [Kevin] McCarthy [R-Calif.]. We need to figure out how to get this all done together.”
Trump: Georgia case ‘totally compromised’ after Willis allegations
Former PresidentTrump on Tuesday sought to portray the 2020 election interference case against him and multiple other defendants in Georgia as “totally compromised” after another defendant accused Fulton County District Attorney FaniWillis (D) of improper behavior. Read more here.
Money moves: Hospitality industry is seeing wage growth
After a devastating COVID impact, data suggests that hospitality workers are seeing a strong rebound in the form of wages.
Stateline.org did the research and found that in 40 states — even those without recent minimum wage hikes — the growth in paychecks has been outpacing earners in some higher-paying industries, including energy, technology and government. Hospitality typically has been the nation’s lowest-paid industry and seen little movement.
OP-EDS IN THE HILL
“To halt global deforestation, start with the Home Depot” by Raphael Edou of the Environmental Investigation Agency.
“Side hustles won’t save the US Postal Service,” by Kevin R. Kosar, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
⏲️ COUNTDOWN
6 days until the Iowa Republican caucuses.
14 days until the New Hampshire primary.
188 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
223 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
🗓 ON THE AGENDA
10 a.m.: The Senate returned from its holiday break.
1:30 p.m.:Vice President Harris began a meeting with people in Atlanta to discuss voting rights.
3 p.m.: Speaker Johnson began a meeting with Alexander Yui, the ambassador of Taiwan, at the Capitol with a public photo-op.
6:30 p.m.: The House will come in for its first official meeting of the new year.
TOMORROW: Republican GOP candidates former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will headline the latest debate on CNN; former President Trump,the clear frontrunner in the nomination fight, will hold his own alternately scheduled event over on Fox News.
💻 BOOKMARK IT!
Be sure to check out the “Election Center” the partnership between Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, keeping track of polling averages in all the important U.S. House and Senate races and, of course, the race for president.
Stay Engaged
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