Power shift

Plus: Trump looks to 2024, the DOJ names a special counsel -- and Biden hosts a wedding [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( November 19, 2022 This week, we looked at midterm election takeaways, the new special counsel appointed to oversee DOJ's Trump probes and the Senate's vote to advance a same-sex marriage bill. Plus, a White House wedding. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: Power shift Samuel Corum/Getty Images The outcome of the midterm elections have had wide-ranging consequences, from Congress to presidential politics. Here are five lessons: 1. [Trump -- who this week launched a 2024 bid -- is now more vulnerable]( to a primary challenge: His candidates – and brand – suffered up and down the ballot, and even many Republicans are pointing the finger in his direction. 2. The next Republican leader will have a hard time legislating: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. [wants to be speaker.]( It’s not clear he has the votes yet, and even if he gets them, passing legislation will be tough with a small majority. 3. Democrats holding the Senate is important: They will be able to block legislation from the House, appoint federal judges and possibly even a Supreme Court justice if a vacancy comes open. 4. Still, Republicans will make a spectacle in the House: [High-profile investigations]( including of the president’s son, and possible impeachment efforts of Biden officials – expect this House GOP to be a confrontational one. 5. A new era in Democratic power is emerging: With [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s exit]( there will be a new [generation of Democratic leaders](. But Pelosi’s legacy can’t be undervalued – she will likely go down as one of the most effective speakers in history. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories Jose Luis Magana/AP Trump special counsel: Attorney General Merrick Garland [named Jack Smith]( the Justice Department's former public integrity chief, to [oversee the department's criminal investigations involving former President Trump.]( Smith will oversee investigations of the retention of national defense information and classified documents at Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate, as well as key aspects of the department's Jan. 6 investigation. Same-sex marriage bill: The Senate voted this week to [advance a bill that would require states to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere](. But the bill would not force states to issue same-sex marriage licenses. White House funding request: The White House [is asking Congress for another $37.7 billion in aid for Ukraine]( as part of a spending bill Congress is expected to consider to prevent a government shutdown. The administration is also seeking $9.25 billion in COVID funding and more money to help pay for recovery from recent natural disasters in Florida and Puerto Rico. Lack of post-election chaos: So far, false claims of voting malfeasance haven't incited the chaos that many experts feared would ensue after the 2022 elections. [Here’s a deeper look at why that happened.]( — [Brandon Carter]( NPR Politics social media producer --------------------------------------------------------------- Become a NPR Politics+ Subscriber Hey y'all. Want to show your support for our podcast, listen to sponsor-free episodes — and, for the first time starting today, get bonus episodes of the NPR Politics Podcast? [Subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast+]( and get your political insights, news and analysis without the distraction. And don't worry — while bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening are a great excuse to subscribe and support NPR, you'll never need to pay anything to get access to our main show. [Subscribe Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Shot: White House weddings National Archives/Getty Images Naomi Biden -- President Biden's granddaughter -- gets married at the White House today. The daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle, Naomi Biden, 28, and her fiancé Peter Neal, 25, announced their engagement in September of last year. She will join a unique club: brides who say 'I do' at the White House. [Read more about past weddings held there]( -- from the first documented White House wedding -- in 1812 -- to the most recent, when Pete Souza, President Barack Obama's official White House photographer, married in a very private ceremony in 2013. — [Heidi Glenn]( NPR Politics digital editor --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprpolitics@npr.org](mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. 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