Inside the first days of Congress of the new Donald Trump -Administration

On By Littum

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Washington – On Day one hobby tech billionaires with legislators over Krabbekager and Ribyes after watching President Donald Trump’s inauguration from the best seats in the house.

On day two, the congress’s moderate Republicans stared on the ground in front of them as they fielded the journalists’ questions about changing the name of Mt. Denali, pardoned on January 6, who attacked police, eliminating Birthright Citizenship-or Speed-Walked in the opposite direction.

On day three, Oath Keepers -Basic Stewart Rhodes – Recently Released from Prison, where he earned time for seductive conspiracy in January 6, 2021 -attack on Capitol – was spotted Eating lunch In a house building after the meeting with Republican lawmakers.

And on day four, two female GOP senators went against their party to oppose Trump’s nominees to defense secretary after a stable drip, drip, drip of accusations of sexual assault and abuse that almost (but not fully) derailed his confirmation on day five.

Welcome to Capitol Hill in the second Trump administration, where the new White House drives the day, whether legislators like it or not.

When Trump first took office in 2017, he was still a revolt to his own party. The GOP-dominated congress had plenty of Republicans who had been critical of the new, form-breaking leader. Legislators on both sides had to adapt to the tireless news cycle and the likelihood that their lives could be turned upside down by a Trump -Tweet.

Eight years later, most of these open critical Republicans is gone. Those who remain accept or embrace Trump’s FreeWheeling style and are well aware of both the benefits of demonstrating their loyalty and the potential consequences of trosing him.

Trump seems to love it.

“He is well in terms of the enthusiasm around him. He feels different this time, honestly. I think he feels more universally accepted,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito, RW.V., who attended a Tuesday meeting between Trump and Congress leaders in the White House. Compared to the first days of the first period, she added, “It’s much more organized, much more informative, much more cooperative.”

As for the repeated four -storms that come with him?

“It’s life with Trump,” Capito said. “What should I do about it?”

The week began with a flurry of executive orders that made clear Trump’s obligation to quickly reshape the country’s legal, cultural and political landscape.

Among them: Refugees will is no longer accepted Inland and troops are authorized to help with border enforcement. The government only recognizes Two “unchangeable” gender. Federal Diversity initiatives has been closed and the employees have been asked to Report colleagues Suspected of performing diversity, equity and inclusion work. Biden-era climate costs Have to stop immediatelyIn spite of billions rolls into Republican states and districts.

Republican lawmakers have been pricey with questions about each.

In a five -minute gaggle, Senator Mike Rounds, Rs.d., was asked about Trump’s pardon for January 6 (“The president has the constitutional authority to do it. It’s not something he asks for our advice.”), Whether the US-born children of undocumented immigrants are entitled to citizenship (“I think that’s what the Constitution says.”), And Trump’s plan to put 25% duty on goods from Canada and Mexico (“I will wait and see. .. So far he has been much done by suggesting it.

Still, the change of politics – and pace – from the last administration is refreshing for most congress Republicans.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., President of the House Prevision Committee, escaped a stomach latter when asked what the first 48 hours of the new administration felt. “I love it. I mean, just the contrast of energy – the blizzard of executive orders, the myriad speeches and inauguration events, the press availability, the openness,” he said. “I think people are hungry for that.”

In the midst of madness, members also turn to their role in the new administration: to have Trump’s agenda passed through the law, which cannot be easily undone by a future democratic president.

House speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate majority leader John Thune, Rs.d. And other top Republican leaders met with Trump his second day in the office to map their plan.

It will be a challenge, they acknowledge. Republicans currently only control the house 218-215, giving each house Republican huge power to derail the legislation if they choose it.

Democrats, visibly worn out of the rapid changes, stick to this as the hope that they will get some leverage.

“There’s not much we can do with executive orders, but to get lasting change you need to pass on bills,” Rep said. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. And “In the environment we are in, you will need to have the support of some, if not the majority of, Democrats.”

During theirs First news conference Since Trump joined, House Republican leaders were effusive to the new administration and noticed that there is a lot of “anxious expectation” about what they will do with their new Trifecta. “We will deliver,” Johnson promised.

When it was time for questions, each study was centered on the White House. The bite of the bite pardoned: “shocking” and “disgusting,” Johnson said. Trump’s January 6 Pardons: “We don’t look backwards, we’re looking ahead,” he said.

“There will be a lot of activity in the coming days,” Johnson concluded with a smile and went off the stage into a Washington remodeling with Trump in the middle.