Over the past few weeks — especially since Roy Moore's defeat — sources close to Trump say he's finally recognizing a harsh reality: If Republicans lose the House in 2018, it will pose an existential threat to his presidency, with endless investigations, legislative obstruction and a likely move toward impeachment.
"Oh, he gets it," a source who's recently spoke to Trump told me.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, who was tapped by Gov. Mark Dayton earlier month to replace the embattled Sen. Al Franken after his resignation amid a string of sexual misconduct allegations, is set to take office this week. She will fill the seat until the November 2018 midterm elections.
Background: Franken's resignation takes effect on Tuesday and Smith will be sworn in by former Vice President Walter Mondale the next day, per the AP. Smith, who served as Dayton's chief of staff prior to becoming his running mate in 2014, was the likely frontrunner.
