The D.C. Brief

IN THE END, THE THREAT OF A FARright revolt proved more menacing than most imagined, as Republican Mike Johnson initially came up short on Jan. 3 during the first balloting to keep him as Speaker.

- Philip Elliott

Only after some backroom arm-twisting and plenty of public embarrassment did he prevail on a day that offered an early sign that Republicans will struggle to achieve a unified governing majority in the second Trump era.