Ahead of weekend votes that will put his job on the line, House Speaker Mike Johnson has unleashed a mystery on Capitol Hill by declining to box out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust him over foreign aid.
Why it matters: Multiple House Republicans were surprised Johnson said he lacked the votes to change how many members it takes to bring up a motion to vacate.
New York City police arrested at least 108 people Thursday during a pro-Palestinian protest on Columbia University's campus after the university's president requested their removal, per Mayor Eric Adams.
Why it matters: The confrontation comes a day after Columbia president Nemat "Minouche" Shafik and other university leaders testified to Congress over the campus climate and antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Even as he fights for his political life, House Speaker Mike Johnson is on the verge of forcing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's hand on TikTok.
Why it matters: Johnson's move means the possibility of a U.S. ban on TikTok is now more real than ever, potentially forcing the Senate to quit stalling on the measure.
One reason will stand out if Democrats rescue House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from an ouster attempt: He's not Kevin McCarthy.
Why it matters: Johnson has accrued credit with his colleagues across the aisle by pursuing a foreign aid package despite threats to his job for doing so.
Why it matters: Alternate jurors are still being selected, but the process underscored the reality of trying to seat 18 jurors in one of the most high-profile court cases in U.S. history as prospective jurors grappled with publicity and their own biases.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has opted not to attempt to change the rules on removing people from the speaker job, he said Thursday.
Why it matters: The decision comes as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) threaten to pull the trigger on a resolution to oust him amid conservative outrage over the speaker pushing Ukraine aid without border language attached.
One of the first jurors seated in former President Trump's historic criminal trial was dismissed Thursday after expressing concerns about being publicly identified.
Why it matters: With the People of New York v. Trumpset to be one of the most high-profile and politically charged cases in U.S. history, the conditions for keeping 18 jurors anonymous — and safe — could not be more challenging.
Members of the Kennedy family appeared en masse and in force to endorse President Biden at a campaign event in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Why it matters: It's a public display of support that reveals a weakness Democrats privately acknowledge: Biden is likely more at risk from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s third-party challenge than former President Trump is.
A 36-year-old House Republican who has served in Congress just three years said Thursday he will not seek reelection in November.
Why it matters: Rep. Jake LaTurner's (R-Kan.) retirement is a stark addition to a trend of House members in both parties sprinting for the exits after a year filled with infighting and discord.
One-third of Latinos say they believe immigrants negatively impact their social status in the U.S., per a new study.
Why it matters: Latinos, who will represent nearly 15% of all eligible voters in the November presidentialelection, are increasingly supportive of the type of restrictive immigration policies that former President Trump is proposing and President Biden is considering.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has gained ballot access in Michigan for the 2024 presidential election, his campaign announced Thursday.
Why it matters: Michigan is a key battleground state in 2024, where polls show President Biden and former President Trump appear to be neck and neck — leaving room for Kennedy and running mate Nicole Shanahan to throw a curveball into the state's race.
The FBI is on alert for potential threats against Jews ahead of the start of Passover next week.
The big picture: The FBI has repeatedly warned of increased threats against Jewish and Muslim Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.
In a tense conversation on the House floor on Thursday, a group of conservatives pressured Speaker Mike Johnson to back off potential plans to make it harder to remove House speakers.
Prosecutors accused former President Trump on Thursday of repeatedly violating the gag order the judge placed on him in his New York hush money case.
Why it matters: Trump is already in hot water for criticizing potential witnesses Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, with prosecutors moving earlier this week to hold him in contempt of violating the gag order.
The Biden administration on Thursday imposed new sanctions on Iran's drone, steel and auto industries, the Treasury Department announced.
The big picture: The Biden administration wants to punish Iran for its unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel without escalating the situation militarily.
Former President Trump's legal team requested in a filing Thursday that some deadlines in his federal classified documents case be postponed, arguing that his New York criminal trial is moving "expeditiously."
Why it matters:Trump's colliding courtroom calendars has been on display as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee navigates four criminal indictments.
Abortion will be a key topic in the presidential election and crucial statewide races, including the one between Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican opponent Bernie Moreno.
Why it matters: Democrats hold a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, but Republicans are eyeing several vulnerable incumbents, including Brown, for seats they could flip.
With former President Trump tied up in court for much of the next six weeks or more, supporters are staging events and creating an online chorus that the trial-bound Trump later touts on social media.
Why it matters: The Trump loyalists, operating separately from his campaign, are amplifying Trump's grievance-fueled messaging well beyond his online rants and indignant statements before and after court sessions in Manhattan.
