Good Morning DC,
Happy New Year!
Asked on St Croix about his New Year’s resolution, Biden said, “To come back next year.”
The Commander-in-Chief declared that this is the biggest resolution in his 2024 playbook.
Speaking of intentions for 2024, 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, insights and analysis.
Today marks the day when the secretive world of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein is on the verge of being exposed. The global news community is eagerly anticipating the disclosure of a list encompassing nearly 200 names enmeshed in the intricate web of the Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking conspiracy.
This “Who’s Who” list is likely the only one VIPs, former presidents, and celebrities would prefer not to be a part of.
Let’s get you caught up with the news of the day.
THE WHITE HOUSE
President Biden is coming back from St Croix today and will be back in the White House this evening.
2024 ELECTION
According to the most recent USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, President Biden is facing challenges in garnering support from key demographic groups, including Black, Latino, and young voters. The poll indicates a shift in Black voter support, as one in five now express intent to back a third-party candidate in the upcoming November elections. In 2020, Biden enjoyed an 87% approval rating among Black voters, but that has decreased to 63%.
In the same poll, former President Trump is leading among Latino voters with 39% support, compared to Biden’s 34%. Additionally, Trump demonstrates stronger appeal among young voters under the age of 35, securing 37% support, while Biden trails with 33%.
In the face of legal troubles, Trump believes that he is “fully entitled” to presidential immunity. “Immunity from criminal prosecution would be particularly dangerous where, as here, the former President is alleged to have engaged in criminal conduct aimed at overturning the results of a presidential election,” said Special Counsel Jack Smith in the filing.
On Monday, Trump initiated the year 2024 with a TruthSocial post, taking aim at Smith. He stated, “The ridiculous Deranged Jack Smith case on Immunity, which the most respected legal minds in the Country say I am fully entitled to, is now completely compromised and should be thrown out and terminated, JUST LIKE THE RADICAL LEFT LUNATICS DID TO THE EVIDENCE.”
CNN will host the Republican presidential primary debate on January 10 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
ON THE HILL
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that his father, Marland Jeffries, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the age of 85. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.
The House and Senate aren’t back until next week. The second session of the 118th Congress is set to commence, marking the absence of Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose final day in Congress was December 31, 2023. McCarthy is eying a bigger role in the Cabinet should Donald Trump win the election.
The House and Senate will start off 2024 by trying to reach an agreement on what should be in the spending budget for FY2024.
The race for Senate control this year will heat up this election year as the Republicans would need up to two seats depending who’s the winner of the 2024 election to flip control of the Senate.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Secretary Blinken concluded 2023 with a diplomatic trip to Mexico and is back at work at the State Department today.
The Israeli military announced plans to temporarily withdraw several thousand troops from Gaza.
THE BALKAN VOICE NEWSLETTER
We are excited to introduce The Balkan Voice, our essential newsletter covering US-Western Balkans relations. This newsletter will provide an insider’s perspective on US policy toward the Western Balkans, featuring weekly coverage, State Department briefings, exclusive interviews, and more.
President Zelenskyy has pledged a substantial increase in weapon production in Ukraine in 2024.
“We’re going to intensify the strikes,” Putin said about his plans to advance attacks on Ukraine.
In the United Kingdom, 2024 marks an election year, and as the General Election approaches on the Westminster horizon, The Conservative Party encounters the challenge of retaining the vote. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party not only faces competition from Labour but also from other conservative options. The Reform UK party’s tactical voting strategy has raised concerns among Tory MPs about their electoral prospects.
Britain is contemplating airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen to prevent further attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. According to the US State Department, the Houthis have violated international law by launching numerous missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at commercial vessels near Yemen’s coastline since October.
Japan was hit with a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday sparking tsunami warnings along hundreds of miles of coastline.
And that’s a wrap for this Tuesday January 2, 2024. Good Morning DC will be back tomorrow to provide you with a front-row seat to the ever-evolving landscape of American politics under President Joe Biden.
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