Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump threw down the gauntlet at a meeting with House Republicans, igniting a boost of morale ahead of his much-anticipated rendezvous with President Joe Biden. The gathering, which could best be described as an “all hands on deck” moment for the GOP, showcased Trump’s trademark confidence as he basked in the glow of his recent electoral victories.
During his remarks, Trump made it clear that winning is, well, nice. He kicked things off with a rousing reminder of the enthusiasm generated by his presidential success and the newfound House majority that Republicans are set to claim come the next Congress. Who could blame him? At a time when the Democrats are still licking their wounds, Trump couldn’t resist pointing out the stark contrast between their dismal outlook and the GOP’s resurgent spirit.
The meeting’s tone quickly shifted from celebratory to strategic, with Trump playfully probing whether the House would be celebrating a four- or five-seat majority. The hope here was that Republicans could flex enough muscle to put the Democrats on notice. He cheekily suggested that whatever the margin, the GOP should consider the glass half full; after all, once you’ve navigated a razor-thin majority, anything beyond that feels like a walk in the park.
Donald Trump Meets with House Republicans on Capitol Hill as President-Elect: 'Isn't It Nice to Win?' https://t.co/t3jgzlCx9t
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) November 13, 2024
Trump also had the Democrats in his crosshairs, sounding the alarm that their anxiety levels are peaking thanks to recent successes in traditionally blue states. With success in battleground areas and palpable momentum in states thought to be off-limits for Republicans, it’s no surprise that Democrats are sweating bullets over the potential for a GOP takeover in places like New York and New Jersey. Their nightmare scenario is rapidly turning into a plausible reality, and Trump wants everyone to know it.
As the meeting unfolded behind closed doors—much to the chagrin of the media—rumor has it that Trump took a moment to heap praise on House Speaker Mike Johnson, who seems poised to secure his position without breaking a sweat. This team-oriented attitude could mean the GOP is gearing up for some serious policy action in the next session, abandoning the disarray and frustration that often characterized the previous Congress. If this meeting was any indication, the Republican machine is ready to roll, and the Democrats should probably start worrying now.
