Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday cautioned lawmakers against agreeing to a deal on border policy amid negotiations on a spending deal unless Republicans got everything needed to shut down the flow of migrants into the U.S., potentially complicating efforts to reach a bipartisan compromise in Congress. 

“I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people, many from parts unknown, into our once great, but soon to be great again, Country!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Remember, without strong borders and honest elections, we don’t have a country!!!” Trump said, adding he believed “our wonderful Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, will only make a deal that is perfect on the border.” Read Full Story

• American Thinker: Who Is Trump’s Real Opponent? Not Biden
• Washington Examiner: Blackburn Questions Veterans Affairs Over Illegal Immigrant Use of Agency Resources
• The Federalist: Democrats Promise to Save ‘Democracy’ by Destroying It
• The Washington Times: House Republican Who Voted to Oust McCarthy Wants to Keep Option ‘on the Table’ for Speaker Johnson
• Townhall: You Need to Know What the Media Doesn’t Want to Tell You

Senate Republicans are bullish that 2024 will conclude with former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the party back in the majority in the upper chamber after a four-year hiatus. 

“People are over it with [President Joe Biden], and I just think that whoever we nominate is going to be well-positioned to win the presidency, and I think that bodes well for the Senate,” said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Senate minority whip.

“The damage has been done by the Biden economy and Bidenflation has been profound,” said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., chair of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm. “The average American has been hurt and has seen a significant pay cut in their paycheck. That’s not going away.” 

Only 10 Republicans are defending seats this year, compared to 23 Democrats, including independents who caucus or vote with the majority party. Read Full Story

• The Daily Caller: Trump Wins Iowa Caucus in Landslide
• The Washington Times: Toned-Down Trump Promises to Unite Country in Iowa Victory Speech
• The Federalist: After Trump’s Iowa Landslide, It’s Time to Stop Pretending There’s a GOP Primary
• Washington Examiner: Tuberville Bill Targeting Illegal Immigrant Use of VA Resources Gains Traction
• Townhall: Careful What You Wish For, Democrats

Conservatives on Wednesday tanked a procedural rule vote in revolt against House Speaker Mike Johnson’s top-line spending deal brokered with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, effectively leaving the House at a standstill nine days ahead of a government shutdown deadline. 

“We’re making a statement that what the deal . . . that doesn’t secure the border, and that doesn’t cut our spending — and it’s going to be passed, apparently, under suspension of the rules by predominantly Democrat votes — is unacceptable,” said Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va.

The failed rule vote effectively leaves the House at a standstill as GOP leadership is blocked from bringing any legislation to the floor unless it has already been noticed on the suspension calendar. Read Full Story

• The Hill: McConnell Steps Up Personal Effort to Win Ukraine, Border Deal 
• The Washington Times: Sen. Ron Johnson: Border Talks With Democrats Like Asking Arsonist to Put Out Fire
• The Daily Caller: Hunter Biden Flees Committee Hearing
• The Federalist: Joe Biden Loves ‘Democracy’ as Long as His Enemies Sit Behind Bars
• American Greatness: Biden ‘Saves’ Democracy by Destroying It