Good Morning DC: A Year Of Whirlwinds

Good morning, DC!

2023 was a  year filled with global crises and presidential travels. 

Our President is set to welcome the New Year on St. Croix, where the ocean breeze dances with the forecasted high of 83 degrees. The Caribbean islands have a history of hosting world leaders, from Coolidge in Cuba to Kennedy in Jamaica, and even Clinton in Barbados.

The tradition of presidential visits to the US Virgin Islands dates back to 1931, when Hoover graced St. Thomas.  Roosevelt followed suit in 1934, exploring the charms of St. Croix. But even before that, in 1916, Teddy Roosevelt, in all his former presidential glory, paid a visit. 

For the Bidens, St. Croix is more than a sunny getaway—it’s a family tradition. They’ve made several visits, even during the vice-presidential years. 

2024 promises a whirlwind election campaign for President Biden, as he will be going to battleground states in pursuit of that coveted second term.

On the global stage, Italy is set to host the G7, Brazil will roll out the welcome mat for the G20 nations, and right here in Washington, DC, the US will take the spotlight as the host of the NATO Summit.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year!

Let’s get you caught up with the news of the day.

In 2024, Trump is poised to make an appearance at a rally in Indianola, Iowa, scheduled for Sunday, January 14, 2024. 

Trump is currently facing opposition arguing that he should be excluded from the primary ballots. Trump has already been removed from the ballot in Maine, the second state after Colorado to bar him from running under the “insurrection clause.” Trump said he will challenge the decisions but the upcoming primaries in Maine and Colorado are fast approaching on March 5th.

The New Hampshire primary is just around the corner, and recent national polls indicate a tight race for second place between Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while Trump maintains a significant lead over the rest of the Republican field.

Nikki Haley, the GOP alternative to Trump, is facing criticism for not addressing slavery when discussing the American Civil War. When confronted about the omission, she responded by asking, “What do you want me to say about it?” 

Trump has said that he gets along with her. On Thursday Nikki said that “I would pardon Trump if he is found guilty.” She elaborated her thinking by saying that this is something in the “best interest” of the country.

“What’s in the best interest of the country is not to have an 80-year-old man sitting in jail that continues to divide our country. What’s in the best interest of our country is to pardon him,” she said.

Secretary Blinken concluded the year with a trip to Mexico. Accompanied by Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, Blinken engaged in discussions with Mexican President López Obrador regarding “the benefit of regularizing the situation of long-term undocumented Hispanic migrants and DACA recipients, who are a vital part of the U.S. economy and society.”

In an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, there was strong condemnation of yesterday’s extensive Russian air attack on Ukraine, marking the largest assault since the war’s onset.

Israel’s military has released footage claiming to depict the moment it destroyed a tunnel network used by senior Hamas officials in Gaza.

And that’s a wrap for 2023. In 2024 The Pavlovic Today will be providing you with a front-row seat to the ever-evolving landscape of American politics under President Joe Biden.

The Pavlovic Today remains committed to delivering comprehensive and timely coverage to ensure that our community of readers stays well-informed with in-depth content and insights. Stay tuned for a year filled with impactful reporting and analysis.

Thank you for reading Good Morning DC!