Good morning. It’s somehow only the middle of the week.
Rep. Tom Emmer’s speaker-to-be moment proved to be short-lived. The Minnesota Republican gained his party’s backing then backed out within hours when it became clear he wouldn’t have enough votes to actually secure the job during a rollcall on the House floor. It was a whiplash kind of day in Washington. Our own Mark Zdechlik was there and did multiple live hits as the events unfolded. Here’s a digital story he produced, with an assist from MPR’s Kirsti Marohn who headed out to Emmer’s district when his prospects were brighter and then faded. “It’s a tough job just getting the job,” St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis told her. How true.
Next in line: Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson. Emmer actually beat Johnson for the nomination earlier, and Johnson did some spade work on Emmer’s behalf. But Johnson will now try to go the distance. AP has a rundown of what’s ahead for Johnson. He probably won’t have former President Donald Trump badmouthing him, as happened with Emmer. But the proof will be in the votes.
Trump has more to worry about in the legal department. One of his former campaign lawyers became the latest to plead guilty in a Georgia election interference case. NPR has a story on the Jenna Ellis plea, which includes an agreement to testify in future cases. Trump’s last White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, also reportedly received immunity to testify in a federal election interference probe involving Trump. Bloomberg News has a story that says Meadows has already appeared before a grand jury around that.
Minnesota will probably still get healthy attention this week as Rep. Dean Phillips declares his presidential intentions. More signs appeared that he is going to go for it, despite Democrats in Minnesota and beyond voicing worry. A bus emblazoned with “Dean Phillips for President” was spotted motoring east, presumably toward New Hampshire. Phillips reportedly has plans to be there on Friday.
As Phillips heads east, President Biden is planning to come to Minnesota. The White House announced that Biden will travel to the state next Wednesday. Details on an itinerary or reason for the trip haven’t been released. Biden was last in Minnesota in April to promote clean energy investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act. His visit comes as the president attempts to convince Congress to approve a $100 billion funding package that would direct aid to Israel and Ukraine. | 