BREAKING: House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly told staff Wednesday that he will not seek to lead House Republicans in the next Congress, setting up a leadership fight after the party lost its majority in Tuesday's midterm elections. https://bit.ly/3Wd3TYn

Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt assessment of the GOP’s election losses, arguing that Republican voters showed up, but many crossed party lines over the war with Iran. https://bit.ly/4eMnqVM

LISTEN TO THE VOTERS: Joe Pinion says the ballot results delivered Republicans a clear lesson. His message to the party is direct: listen to the voters and recognize their support for common-sense conservative policies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune will seek a second term as the chamber's top Republican despite election losses that cost the party control of Congress, setting him apart from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is stepping aside from leadership. MORE: https://bit.ly/4fesZMT

HARD HAT HONORS: President Donald Trump took a moment to recognize the men and women building the new White House ballroom in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, signing hard hats for construction workers helping bring the project to life.

The mainstream media narrative says J.D. Vance is “cooked” after the midterms, but Ed Henry says his 2028 chances may not be as slim as critics claim.

President Donald Trump praised House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday but said the White House would stay out of the race to succeed him as GOP leader after Democrats won control of the House. MORE: https://bit.ly/3UuQlqE

Republicans lost voters' confidence by failing to demonstrate their commitment to making everyday life more affordable, and the party must change its approach as it prepares to become the House minority, Rep. Randy Fine told NEWSMAX. https://bit.ly/47ZamIY

LAWFARE WARNING: Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz warned on Newsmax that Democrats risk undermining the American legal system by threatening investigations of Republicans following their victory in the midterms. https://bit.ly/4ipQ8hF

TRUMP'S VETO PEN: Kari Lake warns Democrats that President Donald Trump still holds a powerful weapon after the GOP’s midterm losses: his veto pen. https://bit.ly/3WipuP7

The White House has reportedly scheduled a Dec. 14 hearing into allegations of mortgage fraud by Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, marking a new phase in President Trump's effort to remove Cook from the Fed. https://bit.ly/4iywJd4

TRUMP BACKS HEGSETH: President Donald Trump backed War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday when asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, whom he has described as a champion of the war.

Trump told reporters, "No, I think he's doing a very good job."

https://bit.ly/4yXx3Ir

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt tells NEWSMAX that President Donald Trump isn't to blame for Republicans' midterm losses. Instead, Holt faults GOP lawmakers for failing to follow Trump's leadership, advance his agenda and support his foreign policy efforts. https://bit.ly/3V1Z43L

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he did not know whether Vice President JD Vance would run for president in 2028. https://bit.ly/4AbIsp0

IMPEACHMENT AGAIN?: "The Right Squad" wonders why Democrats would spend a congressional majority pursuing President Donald Trump when voters are demanding action on housing, inflation and the cost of living.

TIME TO REGROUP: Florida Governor-elect Byron Donalds told NEWSMAX that Republicans' path forward is to refocus on conservative policies that address Americans’ everyday concerns and move quickly beyond the election losses. https://bit.ly/4sNQ66Q

IMPEACHMENT COULD BACKFIRE AGAIN: "The Right Squad" examines renewed Democratic talk of impeaching President Donald Trump and questions whether the effort would accomplish anything beyond generating headlines and energizing Trump’s supporters.

https://youtu.be/M3rQp72x_Vo

GOP LEADERSHIP SHOWDOWN: Rep. Andy Harris says Republicans need a forceful communicator to oppose the incoming Democratic majorities: "Jim Jordan is the type of communicator we need."

BREAKING: British ‌comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty in a London court on Thursday ‌of rape and sexual ​assault and was told he faces jail. https://bit.ly/3UAgTXh

GOP LEADERSHIP SHOWDOWN: Rep. Andy Harris says Republicans need a forceful communicator to oppose the incoming Democratic majorities: "Jim Jordan is the type of communicator we need."

https://youtu.be/bsWdc3_N-rI