NEWS AND OPINION:

House Speaker Mike Johnson drew some energetic press coverage following his reelection on Friday. The media had plenty to say about the Louisiana Republican. Here’s a few headlines from the last 48 hours:

“How Mike Johnson (and Donald Trump) did it” (Politico); “Trouble ahead for Mike Johnson?” (Associated Press); “Mike Johnson wins Speaker vote after Trump twists arms” (Wall Street Journal); and “Mike Johnson hangs on, but his challenges are only beginning” (NBC News).

And a few more:

“Mike Johnson reelected as Speaker after brief revolt” (Axios); “Sen. Banks: ‘I don’t think Mike Johnson would have been Speaker’ without Trump” (The Hill); “Mike Johnson reelected House Speaker in dramatic first-round floor vote” (PBS); “Republicans re-elect Mike Johnson as House speaker in nail-biting vote” (Al Jazeera); “Mike Johnson gives Donald Trump new deadline for reconciliation bill” (Newsweek); and “Speaker Johnson reveals how Trump wants Congress to handle business during the first hundred days” (Fox News).

TRUMP’S OWNERSHIP

The Grand Old Party has an extra designation.

“It’s Trump’s party now,” advises author Matt Margolis, a columnist for PJMedia.com, in an analysis released Sunday.

“The House speakership vote this week was anticipated to be a prolonged and contentious ordeal, raising concerns about a potential constitutional crisis if a speaker couldn’t be elected in time to certify the 2024 election before Inauguration Day. Instead, it became a testament to Donald Trump’s firm grip on the Republican Party — underscoring his ability to steer the GOP toward unity when it matters most,” Mr. Margolis said.

ONE FOR THE SCHOLARS

Here’s a reminder from the Heritage Foundation for those with scholarly inclinations.

Heritage is offering the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes — an initiative meant to support those in higher education whose research aligns with the foundation’s values.  

“The prize, which is currently accepting applicants through March 3, will award prizes between $15,000 and $20,000 to full-time and adjunct faculty members at U.S. colleges, universities, or seminaries who are actively engaged in research and teaching that advances Heritage’s priority policy issues, as well as broader issues related to freedom and opportunity,” the organization advised in a news release.

“Additionally, as the nation’s Semiquincentennial approaches, The Heritage Foundation is accepting applications in 2025 from scholars whose work relates to the American Founding and celebrates and promotes America’s 250th anniversary. Prize winners will also be invited to participate in a Summer Colloquium and Workshop,” the release said.

Find information at heritage.org/press, listed under the news releases heading.

“The Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prizes are our investment in courageous scholars who are committed to advancing research that supports liberty, human flourishing, and the values that make America exceptional. This is about more than just academic inquiry — it’s about ensuring the future of freedom and opportunity in this country,” Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said in a written statement.

A SENATOR’S ADVICE

Here’s a conversation of note from “Fox News Sunday,” featuring anchor Jacqui Heinrich and Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Republican:

“Senator, the FBI, DHS and National Counterterrorism Center warned of potential copycat attacks after what we saw in New Orleans. There are several large scale events coming up from the Super Bowl in New Orleans to inauguration in D.C. Is enough being done to prevent something like this from happening again?” Ms. Heinrich asked.

“I can promise you everything is going to be done that they can imagine is going to be done. They don’t want to look bad, first. And two, more importantly, they want to protect the American people. But we have to recognize wherever there’s so-called soft targets, wherever there’s a street festival in a big city, there’s a potential for something bad to happen,” Mr. Cassidy replied.

“So I would encourage the American people to be alert, to report things that look kind of like it shouldn’t be that way, but to also live your life bravely. The thing that terrorists want to do is they want to terrorize us, which is to say ’I’m too afraid to live in freedom,’” he continued.

“You’ve got to be bold and live in freedom,” Mr. Cassidy said. “That’s the best way we can counter terrorism.”

IT’S STILL PARTY TIME

So is it sleepy time in the nation’s capital now that winter has arrived? Uh, no. Just ask Things to Do, a Maryland-based event planner which organizes “experiences for young professionals,” according to its mission statement.

According to a calendar shared with Inside the Beltway, here’s a partial list of big doings, beginning Jan. 17 and running through Valentine’s Day, verbatim from the source, capital letters and all:

They include Evening at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia; Serbian New Year’s Celebration at the Ambassador’s Residence; An Evening at the Embassy of Armenia; Saturday Night at the Embassy of France: La Gallette des Rois 2025; Caribbean Celebration at the residence of the Ambassador from Grenada; and the Multi-Embassy Diplomatic Valentine’s Day Caribbean Gala at the Organization of American States.

Among the features of some or all of these noteworthy gatherings: live music, “native food,” fashion shows, dancing and dance lessons, cocktails of course and friendly conversation. Find details at thingstododc.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 35% of U.S. adults say they feel “enthusiastic” about the next four years with Donald Trump as president.

• 76% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 3% of Democrats agree.

• 16% overall feel “satisfied but not enthusiastic” about the next four years with Mr. Trump as president.

• 18% of Republicans, 20% of independents and 11% of Democrats agree.

• 14% say they feel “dissatisfied but not upset” about the next four years.

• 2% of Republicans, 17% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

• 28% overall say they feel “upset” about the next four years.

• 2% of Republicans, 26% of independents and 58% of Democrats agree.

• 7% overall say they are “not sure” how they feel.

• 2% of Republicans, 13% of independents and 6% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,552 U.S. adults conducted online Dec. 29-31.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.