Democrats’ ‘Ethics’ Smears Against Thomas And Alito Are So Embarrassing They Buried Their Own Report
How Trump's 'Midas touch' shepherds the Republican Party
After President-elect Donald Trump swept all seven swing states and the popular vote on November 5, the Republican Party has largely fallen behind his MAGA mandate.
Although Trump has become the face of the Republican Party, some defectors have required the shepherding of the president-elect in order to effectively implement this MAGA mandate.
While Republicans control both the executive and the legislative branches, the narrow majorities in the House and Senate have left the GOP with very little wiggle room to implement Trump's policy agenda. But where pressure is needed, pressure has been applied, and it has worked.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Trump is the only Republican with the Midas touch of political viability.
One of the earliest examples of Trump's effective pressure campaign was when Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa withheld from formally endorsing Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and veteran who was nominated to head the Department of Defense. Ernst, who focuses much of her advocacy towards victims of sexual abuse in the military, privately expressed reservations about Hegseth, who was facing several allegations, including sexual misconduct. Importantly, Hegseth and many of his former colleagues have firmly denied these allegations.
After the pair first met on Capitol Hill, sources close to the Senate confirmed to Blaze News that Ernst had begun lobbying against Hegseth's nomination. One source told Blaze News that Ernst lends her ear to the old guard, establishment Republicans in the Senate, serving as a "useful proxy" for former leader Mitch McConnell.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (C) walks through the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on December 3, 2024 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Once reports shed light on Ernst's disapproval of Hegseth, the Trump world launched an online pressure campaign to sway the senator. Trump even threatened to primary Republican senators who withheld support from his Cabinet nominees. Ernst quickly caved to the pressure, warming up to Hegseth and leaning into more of the MAGA message.
At the same time, this was not an isolated incident. During the December funding fight on the House side, Trump put his thumb on the scale to produce a more favorable outcome.
Speaker Mike Johnson initially introduced a bloated 1,547-page continuing resolution just days before the government was set to shut down, prompting outrage from fiscal conservatives in the Republican conference. MAGA allies like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy also chimed in and criticized the funding bill. However, Trump's condemnation of the CR was the final blow.
Johnson quickly returned to the drawing board and made as many amendments as Trump demanded. The amended CR went up for a vote but was struck down due to a provision that raised the debt ceiling, one of Trump's demands. Despite this, the House eventually passed the slimmer 116-page CR that omitted the debt ceiling provision, averting a government shutdown.
Despite some blunders, Johnson has secured Trump's blessing.
Shortly after the end-of-year spending fight, Johnson was facing a challenging reelection to the speakership. Ahead of the January 3 election, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky vowed to vote against Johnson, who could only afford one "no vote" given the GOP's historically slim margins. Despite Trump's endorsement of the Speaker, several other fiscal conservatives also expressed hesitancies about reelecting Johnson.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump listens as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference at Mr. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
While the election was taking place, seven Republicans initially refrained from voting for Johnson altogether. Among them was Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, a staunch fiscal conservative who, along with Massie, endorsed Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary. Although Roy had previously defected from Trump, he eventually changed his vote to Johnson because of his "steadfast support of President Trump."
This left Johnson with a total of three defections. Massie voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer, which remained unchanged in the final vote tally. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina officially voted for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Rep. Keith Self of Texas voted for Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.
At this point, Johnson had come up two votes short of securing a second term. Rather than moving on to a second round of voting, which has historically lost votes for candidates, Johnson, Norman, Self, and other Republicans huddled in a room off of the House floor.
In order to secure another political victory, Trump reportedly called Norman and Self in order to sway their votes. Just minutes later, the two defectors approached the clerk and voted for Johnson, securing his speakership in just one round of votes.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Trump is the only Republican with the Midas touch of political viability.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Johnson narrowly secures speakership despite Republican defectors
The House narrowly elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for a second term in the first round of votes on Friday.
In the final tally, Johnson received 218 votes, the bare minimum to secure the speakership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) received 215 votes.
Seven Republicans, including Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, initially skipped out on the election, later changing their vote to Johnson. Three Republicans initially voted for other members entirely. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Rep. Keith Self of Texasa voted for Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, although they both eventually changed their votes to Johnson.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only member in the final tally who voted against Johnson, opting instead for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
Given the Republicans' narrow, four-seat majority, Johnson could afford only one "no" vote, which Massie claimed leading up to Friday. In addition to Massie, several Republicans like Roy expressed hesitancy about supporting Johnson, citing fiscal concerns.
'Republicans have a mandate to implement the America First Agenda, and as Speaker, this will be my priority.'
"We saw this movie in 2023, and everyone knows the sequel always sucks," Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia said in an X post following the vote.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) hold a press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Just minutes before the House was set to vote for a speaker, Johnson released a lengthy commitment to "return to fiscal sanity" in a last-ditch attempt to appeal to the potential defectors and secure his second term.
"Republicans have a real opportunity in the next two years to make meaningful spending reforms to eliminate trillions in waste, fraud, and abuse, and end the weaponization of government," Johnson said. "Along with advancing President Trump’s America First agenda, I will lead the House Republicans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, hold the bureaucracy accountable, and move the United States to a more sustainable fiscal trajectory."
"If we want to restore fiscal responsibility, we must start by being transparent about the dollars that are spent, address the issues we find, and then hold those accountable who have misspent funds," Johnson continued. "Republicans have a mandate to implement the America First Agenda, and as Speaker, this will be my priority."
Despite the tumultuous end-of-year spending fight, Johnson also secured President-elect Donald Trump's endorsement on Monday, as well as a last-minute boost of "good luck" on Friday just hours before the 119th Congress was gaveled in.
"Good luck today for Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to having 100% support," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!! - A BIG AFFIRMATION, INDEED. MAGA!"
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Chip Roy Says Mike Johnson Does Not Have Votes For Speaker Despite Trump’s Endorsement
'I don't believe that he has the votes'
Trump endorses Mike Johnson for speaker despite GOP pushback
President-elect Donald Trump formally endorsed Mike Johnson for a second term as speaker of the House on Monday.
Following the tumultuous spending fight at the end of the 118th Congress, Johnson's speakership was called into question, with several Republican lawmakers signaling their frustration with the speaker. As Republicans head into the 119th Congress with an even narrower majority than before, even just a handful of defections could delay or even throw off Johnson's chances.
'Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan,' Massie said. 'On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson. I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another "do-over."'
While many within the Republican conference were left frustrated with Johnson's handling of the last-minute continuing resolution, Trump's 11th-hour endorsement may be the boost he needs to remain speaker.
"The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration," Trump said in Truth Social post on Monday. "Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!"
"Thank you, President Trump!" Johnson said in response to Trump's endorsement. "I’m honored and humbled by your support, as always. Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America. The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!"
Although he earned Trump's favor, Johnson can afford to lose only one Republican vote in the upcoming Congress. As of this writing, there is exactly one GOP lawmaker who has publicly stated that he will not be voting for Johnson.
"On January 3rd, 2017 Paul Ryan was elected Speaker by every Republican except me," Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said in a Monday post on X. "Ryan went on to offer a fake repeal of ObamaCare, increased spending, backed the deep state, and didn’t fund a wall. Two years later we lost the majority and democrats made a living hell for Trump."
"Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan," Massie said. "On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson. I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another 'do-over.'"
While Massie has vocally expressed his opposition to Johnson, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas is reportedly exploring other options just days before the Friday floor vote.
Roy is circling back to a former speaker candidate and a favorite among House conservatives, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. After former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in October 2023, Jordan launched his bid for the gavel, ultimately coming up roughly 20 votes short.
Although Johnson has had an uphill battle during his speakership, Trump's endorsement will likely improve his chances of securing his re-election on Friday.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Is Congress headed toward a government shutdown?
Speaker Mike Johnson is scrambling to put together a new funding bill after Republican heavyweights like President-elect Donald Trump and his MAGA allies tanked Johnson's first continuing resolution. With the funding deadline fast approaching, the chances of a government shutdown are becoming more likely.
Johnson unveiled his original CR on Tuesday night after several delayed negotiations. The funding bill was received poorly, to put it lightly.
With the mounting pressure and a fast-approaching deadline of December 20, Johnson is going back to the drawing board.
Within 24 hours, dozens of lawmakers and Trump allies launched a pressure campaign targeting the CR. Many raised concerns about the price tag, calling the 1,547-page bill "criminal" and "full of pork."
Trump delivered a final blow to the already sinking funding bill in a statement Wednesday night, calling the bill "destructive" and instead pushing for a clean CR.
"Sounds like the ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive Continuing Resolution, PLUS, is dying fast, but can anyone imagine passing it without either terminating, or extending, the Debt Ceiling guillotine coming up in June?" Trump said in a Wednesday post on Truth Social. "Unless the Democrats terminate or substantially extend Debt Ceiling now, I will fight ‘till the end. This is a nasty TRAP set in place by the Radical Left Democrats!"
US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (C) walks under US President-elect Donald Trump (L) as he speaks at a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump raised the stakes of the already high-pressure spending fight by demanding that leadership also address the debt limit in negotiations. Trump doubled down on his last-minute command by calling for Republicans to be primaried if they don't follow through.
"If Republicans try to pass a clean Continuing Resolution without all of the Democrat 'bells and whistles' that will be so destructive to our Country, all it will do, after January 20th, is bring the mess of the Debt Limit into the Trump Administration, rather than allowing it to take place in the Biden Administration," Trump added. "Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be Primaried."
"Increasing the debt ceiling is not great, but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch," Trump said in a joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance on Wednesday. "If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration? Let’s have this debate now. And we should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want."
With the mounting pressure and a fast-approaching deadline of December 20, Johnson is going back to the drawing board.
In the late hours of Wednesday night, Republican Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Rules Committee Chairman Burgess Owens, and Vance were spotted going in and out of the speaker's office as Johnson figures out a path forward.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building on October 13, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida later confirmed that there would be no more votes on Wednesday, likely signaling that the pressure campaign against Johnson's CR led him to scrap it entirely. Luna confirmed additional reports that Johnson and others in the Republican conference are "re-working legislation" and that they will "likely" do a clean CR.
That being said, the clock is ticking. Every hour that goes by, the possibility of a government shutdown becomes more and more likely.
The threat of a government shutdown just days before Christmas has historically incentivized lawmakers to pass a Christmas omnibus like the one Johnson originally proposed on Tuesday. Johnson notably said in September that he had "no intention of going back to that terrible tradition."
At this point, a government shutdown very well may be on the table with several lawmakers and Trump allies calling for it.
"The Uniparty and the mainstream media want you to be terrified of a government 'shutdown,'" Republican Rep. Andy Biggs said in a Thursday post on X. "Here's the truth: 85% of the government is business as usual. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are all paid in full. Perhaps a pause in nonessential spending would be beneficial."
"The government doesn’t actually shut down when they say 'shut down,' as all essential personnel keep working," Musk said in a Wednesday post on X. "So ... shut it down."
At this point, no CR votes have been scheduled, and no new text has been released. With the possibility of a shutdown looming over lawmakers, we will have to see what the Hill can come up with in the 11th hour.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
'ILLEGAL': Dem fundraising platform ActBlue makes stunning admission about what it did before policy change
The GOP-led Committee on House Administration has spent over a year investigating whether the major Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue has complied with federal campaign finance laws and prevented illegal contributions.
Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) issued a subpoena to ActBlue on Oct. 30 for documents related to its donor verification policies and to the potential for foreign actors — particularly from China, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela — to use the platform to launder illicit money into American political campaigns.
Steil announced Tuesday that ActBlue admitted in documents under subpoena that it did not automatically reject donations made with foreign gift cards prior to a policy change in September.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) responded to the revelation, stating, "This is ILLEGAL."
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) tweeted, "Federal campaign-finance laws apparently apply only to Republicans and exist to help Democrats."
Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) wrote, "Into the 3rd quarter of campaign fundraising Democrats were accepting foreign gift card donations through their Act Blue platform. As Congressional candidates were reporting millions of dollars in donations, they didn't require the CVV code verification and allowed foreign gift card donations! This is illegal and outrageous."
Joe Lonsdale, the American entrepreneur who co-founded Palantir Technologies, noted, "Those accusing the other side of collaborating with foreign powers to meddle in our elections were projecting."
The platform has since updated its donor verification policies to "automatically reject donations that use foreign prepaid/gift cards, domestic gift cards, are from high-risk/sanctioned countries, and have the highest level of risk as determined" by its anti-fraud solution provider, Sift.
'We must keep working to ensure that no foreign funds were illegally funneled into US political campaigns during this election cycle.'
Just the News reported that the policy change took place three days after Steil introduced the Secure Handling of Internet Electronic Donations Act on Sept. 6.
The bill would require political committees to collect the credit or debit card's verification value when accepting corresponding contributions over the internet.
ActBlue indicated in a Nov. 27, 2023, letter to Steil that the platform required and used card verification values on "many" but not all transactions across the site.
Furthermore, the so-called SHIELD Act would require that the card's billing address be located in the United States unless the contributor is an American national living abroad or lawfully admitted for permanent residence. In such cases, the contributor must provide the political committee with his registration address or identification document. The bill would also prohibit political committees from accepting contributions made via general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards.
Steil noted in a statement that while ActBlue's policy change "is a positive step forward, there is still more work to be done to ensure our campaign finance system is fully protected from fraud and unlawful foreign interference."
"The documents provided to the Committee also confirm that ActBlue still accepted these concerning payment methods in July, a period when Democrats raised a record number of campaign money [sic] before implementing these safeguards," continued the Wisconsin congressman. "We must keep working to ensure that no foreign funds were illegally funneled into U.S. political campaigns during this election cycle. It is also critical that we enact lasting reforms to prevent illicit contributions in future election cycles."
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, penned a letter with Steil Monday to the CEO of Sift, Kris Nagel, requesting documents pertaining to the company's efforts to deter fraudulent transactions on ActBlue and related communications.
The Republican lawmakers noted that a recent data analysis of Federal Election Commission records "uncovered suspicious transactions made using ActBlue, including donations larger than the named donor could afford, 'uncharacteristic donations from registered voters suddenly contributing to candidates of the opposing party,' and 'unusually frequent' donations from vulnerable individuals, including senior citizens and first-time donors."
Jordan and Steil appear keen to know more about the security measures provided to ActBlue by Sift, given that the measures may have been exploited by bad actors at home and abroad.
The House Administration Committee is likely to explore these and other concerns about the platform at its Dec. 18 hearing on foreign interference in American elections.
ActBlue told its users in an Oct. 30 statement that it "holds itself to the highest legal and ethical standards, and all contributions made through ActBlue are disclosed in full compliance with federal, state, and local laws."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Exclusive: Jim Jordan, Chip Roy slam DOJ prosecution of whistleblower who exposed trans surgeries on minors
Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Chip Roy of Texas co-authored a letter exclusively obtained by Blaze News slamming the Biden Department of Justice for prosecuting a medical whistleblower who shed light on transgender medical interventions used on children.
The DOJ is prosecuting Dr. Eithan Haim, a whistleblower who exposed the Texas Children's Hospital for performing transgender surgeries and treatments on minors, for allegedly committing HIPAA violations despite withholding sensitive medical or personal information about the patients. Haim's advocacy alerted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, prompting him to issue a formal opinion in 2022, categorizing the procedures as child abuse.
'The DOJ's prosecution of Dr. Haim for blowing the whistle on criminal child abuse is wrong.'
"The hospital's actions raise concerns that this is continuing to intentionally harm young children for the purpose of a left-wing policy agenda," the letter reads.
Although Texas Children's Hospital announced that it would cease the transgender medical interventions on minors just a month after Paxton's statement, Haim revealed the hospital had continued the surgeries. As a result, the DOJ decided to prosecute Haim.
"The DOJ's prosecution of Dr. Haim for blowing the whistle on criminal child abuse is wrong," the letter reads. "As the Subcommittee examines this matter to inform potential legislative reforms that would enhance civil liberties and protect minors, we believe that the Texas Children's Hospital possesses relevant documents and information."
Jordan, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, and Roy, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, called on Texas Children's Hospital to turn over all relevant communications and documents surrounding Haim and the transgender treatments on minors.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Get the Conservative Review delivered right to your inbox.
We’ll keep you informed with top stories for conservatives who want to become informed decision makers.
Today's top stories