Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report, Seeks $10 Billion

2 days ago

Clovis Unified Mourns Passing of Former Superintendent Terry Bradley

2 days ago

Clovis At-Risk Missing Person Found Dead in Fresno Canal

2 days ago

DOJ Asks California Sheriffs for Names of Inmates Who Aren’t Citizens

2 days ago

Israel Agrees to Allow Syrian Troops Limited Access to Sweida

2 days ago

Border Patrol Agents Raid a Home Depot in Northern California

2 days ago

Man Admits to Killing Missing Bass Lake Resident, Madera County Authorities Say

3 days ago

Trump Diagnosed With Vein Condition Causing Leg Swelling, White House Says

3 days ago

US Seeks One-Day Sentence for Police Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Case

3 days ago

Manhattan Prosecutor Who Handled Epstein Cases Is Fired

3 days ago
Trump Returns to Capitol Hill and Whips Up Republican Lawmakers, a First Meeting Since Jan. 6 Attack
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 year ago on
June 13, 2024

Trump's triumphant return to Capitol Hill energizes GOP lawmakers, despite ongoing federal charges. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump made a triumphant return Thursday to Capitol Hill, whipping up House and Senate Republicans in his first meetings since the Jan.6, 2021 attacks, embraced by GOP lawmakers who find themselves newly energized by his bid to retake the White House.

Despite the federal charges against Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, and his recent guilty verdict in an unrelated hush money trial, the Republican former president arrived emboldened as the party’s presumptive nominee. He has successfully purged the GOP of critics, silenced most skeptics and enticed once-critical lawmakers aboard his MAGA-fueled campaign.

Trump’s Influence on GOP

A packed room of House Republicans sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump in the private breakfast meeting at GOP campaign headquarters across the street from the Capitol. The lawmakers gave him a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game. Trump bragged that even his telephone rallies for lawmakers could draw bigger crowds than mega-popstar Taylor Swift, who has yet to make any endorsement.

“President Trump brought an extraordinary amount of energy, excitement and enthusiasm this morning,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, noting high fund-raising tallies since the guilty verdict. “We’re feeling good.”

Trump’s Potential Second Term Priorities

Trump spent about an hour with House Republicans delivering free-wheeling remarks, fielding questions and discussing issues — including Russia and immigration and also tax cuts and other priorities for a potential second term. On one major controversial issue, Trump told lawmakers that abortion rules should be left to the states and said he supported exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, lawmakers said.

Senate Republicans welcomed Trump next in the afternoon, as protesters clamored at both locations and police beefed up security.

Many potential priorities for a new White House administration are being formulated by a constellation of outside groups, including Project 2025, laying the groundwork for executive and legislative actions, though Trump has made clear he has his own agenda.

“Anybody who thought that this president was going to be down after the sham trial. it’s only giving him even more energy,” said Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP whip. “Donald Trump is crushing this election.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

DON'T MISS

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

DON'T MISS

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

DON'T MISS

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

DON'T MISS

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

DON'T MISS

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

DON'T MISS

New CA Budget Papers Over $20 Billion Deficit, Ignores Day of Reckoning

DON'T MISS

Astronomer CEO, HR Chief on Leave After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Scandal

DON'T MISS

Sanger Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

DON'T MISS

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report, Seeks $10 Billion

UP NEXT

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

UP NEXT

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

UP NEXT

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

UP NEXT

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

UP NEXT

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

UP NEXT

New CA Budget Papers Over $20 Billion Deficit, Ignores Day of Reckoning

UP NEXT

Astronomer CEO, HR Chief on Leave After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Scandal

UP NEXT

Sanger Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

UP NEXT

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report, Seeks $10 Billion

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Arrested for Home Invasion, Groping Sleeping Woman

Israeli Fire Kills 67 People Seeking Aid in Gaza, Medics Say, as Hunger Worsens

46 minutes ago

Fresno’s Measure C Panel Prioritizes Roads After Ousting City Rep for Criticism

4 hours ago

California Is Finally Adopting Phonics, Fulfilling a Grandmother’s Dream

5 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Deadly Assault in Kingsburg

19 hours ago

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

1 day ago

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

1 day ago

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

1 day ago

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

1 day ago

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

1 day ago

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

1 day ago

Trump Says He Will Help Afghans Stuck in the UAE

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would help Afghans detained in the United Arab Emirates for years after fleeing ...

39 minutes ago

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner with Republican Senators, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 18, 2025. (Reuters File)
39 minutes ago

Trump Says He Will Help Afghans Stuck in the UAE

Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
42 minutes ago

Pope Leo Calls for End to ‘Barbarity of War’ After Strike on Gaza Church

American lawyer Alan Dershowitz returns to the courtroom for the criminal trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump after a short break at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, U.S., 20 May 2024. (Reuters File)
44 minutes ago

Ex-Epstein Lawyer Calls for Release of Additional Epstein Materials

Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
46 minutes ago

Israeli Fire Kills 67 People Seeking Aid in Gaza, Medics Say, as Hunger Worsens

Sign Promoting Completion of Measure C Project at McKinley and Clovis Avenues near the Airport
4 hours ago

Fresno’s Measure C Panel Prioritizes Roads After Ousting City Rep for Criticism

Oakland Students Learning to Read
5 hours ago

California Is Finally Adopting Phonics, Fulfilling a Grandmother’s Dream

19 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Deadly Assault in Kingsburg

Peach, a 2-year-old chihuahua in Fresno, is capturing hearts with her sweet personality, love for play, and unexpected fence-climbing talents that hint at a future in canine stardom. (Mell's Mutts)
1 day ago

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend