1. McCarthy’s Ouster and the House Speaker Fight
In a historic move, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from his post by a group of eight Republicans led by Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz. This led to a month-long battle to determine the new House Republican leader, with several high-ranking Republicans vying for the position. Ultimately, Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected to the position.
2. January 6 Footage Release
Speaker Johnson made a significant move towards transparency by releasing footage from the January 6 Capitol riots. This decision was aimed at providing the American people, criminal defendants, public interest organizations, and the media with the opportunity to see for themselves what happened on that fateful day.
3. The White House’s July Snowstorm
In a bizarre turn of events, a bag of cocaine was discovered in a White House locker during President Biden’s absence. The Secret Service launched an investigation into how the drugs ended up in the White House, but no conclusive culprit was found.
4. Hunter Biden’s Tax Charges
Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, has been at the center of controversy throughout the year. He now faces several criminal tax charges related to an alleged four-year scheme of evading federal income taxes. He is scheduled to appear in court in January 2024.
5. Mr. Santos Goes to Washington — and Gets Booted
Former GOP New York Representative Mr. Santos became the first Republican to be expelled from the House of Representatives in over two decades. The expulsion came after a House Ethics Committee report alleged campaign finance abuses and fraudulent conduct. Santos has been indicted on multiple counts but maintains his innocence.
6. Trump’s Criminal Charges
Former President Trump is facing criminal charges in multiple jurisdictions. In Georgia, he has been indicted on charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Additionally, he faces charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Contributors: Brandon Gillespie, Cameron Cawthorne, Elizabeth Elkind, Brooke Singman, Joe Schoffstall, Paul Steinhauser, Louis Casiano, Chris Pandolfo, Anders Hagstrom, and Andrew Mark Miller.