Speaker Johnson: ‘It Is Bidenomics That Got Us Into This Mess’
Speaker Johnson: ‘It Is Bidenomics That Got Us Into This Mess’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the 2026 economic recovery as the direct result of a "Trump policy" reversal of Biden-era spending. Speaking with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, Johnson argued that while Democrats labeled the affordability crisis a "hoax," the reality of Bidenomics was a 40-year high in inflation that only Republican intervention has managed to curb.
The "Five-Percent" Economy
Johnson highlighted a series of economic indicators that he claims even conservative economists found "unimaginable" a year ago:
Growth: The U.S. GDP growth rate has climbed over 5%.
Inflation: Sharp declines in inflation have been reported following January's tax cuts and spending caps.
Energy: Gas prices have reached a five-year low, which Johnson cited as a key victory for the American consumer.
"It is evidence that when our policies are implemented, they work," Johnson said, predicting that voters would reward the GOP at the ballot box in the upcoming November 2026 midterms.
Defending ICE in "Sanctuary" Cities
Turning to national security, the Speaker slammed progressives for "beating the drums" to defund and abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The 20 Million Estimate: Johnson claimed that under the previous administration, over 20 million people entered the country illegally, many of whom he described as "dangerous criminals."
Minneapolis Standoff: He specifically pointed to cities like Minneapolis, noting that ICE must be allowed to do its job without interference from local "sanctuary" policies. "They need to get out of the way and allow federal law enforcement to do its duty," he emphasized.
Rebutting AOC on Stock Trading
Johnson concluded the interview by addressing the controversy surrounding the Stop Insider Trading Act (a variation of the PELOSI/Hawley legislation). He specifically targeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for her criticisms of the bill.
The "Rank-and-File" Bill: Johnson dismissed AOC’s claims that the bill was drafted by "wealthy lawmakers," asserting it was created by rank-and-file members to restore "faith and trust" in Congress.
The Ban: The Speaker clarified that the legislation effectively bans stock trading for all members of Congress, aiming to end the era where a handful of people "enriched themselves" through insider knowledge.
Senate Confirms Rodney Scott To Lead Customs And Border Protection
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Rodney Scott as head of Customs and Border Protection.
Scott formerly served as Border Patrol Chief and currently commands the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) biggest enforcement department, which has approximately 65,000 workers.
CBP consists of two divisions: the Border Patrol, which is in charge of protecting the nation’s borders between ports of entry, and the Office of Field Operations (OFO), which is in charge of security at ports of entry.
Scott was confirmed on a 51-46 party-line vote, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed.
Scott was forced out of his post as Border Patrol Chief during the Biden administration after opposing politically motivated changes at CBP. In April 2021, Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller informed Scott that the agency would use the phrase “undocumented immigrant” instead of the legally accurate “illegal alien.”
At the time, Chief Scott sent an internal memorandum to Miller arguing that, “The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is and must remain an apolitical federal law enforcement agency…Despite every attempt by USBP leadership to ensure that all official messaging remained consistent with law, fact, and evidence, there is no doubt that the reputation of the USBP has suffered because of the many outside voices. Mandating the use of terms which are inconsistent with law has the potential to further erode public trust in our government institutions.”
Scott will retire as Chief of the Border Patrol in August 2021.
After leaving the Border Patrol, Commissioner Scott remained a major advocate on the need to protect our borders, repeatedly calling for a return to Trump-era practices. In the autumn of 2021, he will begin working as a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Border Security at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Scott spoke in front of Congress on many occasions and made countless media appearances advocating for tougher immigration enforcement.
Along with Safe Third Country agreements and the Remain in Mexico program, which requires asylum applicants to wait in Mexico for court proceedings, Scott backed border wall building, which remains a top objective in a second Trump administration.
Commissioner Scott sounded a positive note following the Senate vote. In a statement, Scott said: “I’m honored that the United States Senate has confirmed me, and I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Noem for their trust and unwavering leadership. I started my career on the front lines, and now I am ready to lead my CBP family with integrity and a clear mission to defend our sovereignty, enforce the law, and put America first.”
President Donald Trump likewise praised Scott when announcing his nomination.
“Rodney served nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, building vast experience and knowledge in Law Enforcement and Border Security. Rodney served as the 24th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he implemented Remain-in-Mexico, Title 42, Safe Third Agreements, and achieved record low levels of illegal immigration,” Trump said.
Scott’s confirmation comes at a critical time for CBP.
As the country struggles to recover from four years of open-borders policy, the agency plays a crucial role in fulfilling President Trump’s promise to restore order at the border.
In the next weeks and months, FAIR hopes to collaborate closely with the Trump administration and CBP to undo the damage caused by the Biden administration’s practices.
Recently, the Supreme Court approved the Trump administration’s request to pause a lower court injunction that had blocked deportations of individuals to third countries without prior notice.
The decision marks a near-term victory for the administration as it aims to implement its immigration crackdown swiftly.
The Court ruled 6-3 in favor of staying the injunction, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.
The case involved a group of migrants contesting their deportations to third countries—nations other than their countries of origin.
Clintons Agree to Provide House Testimony Regarding Epstein
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to an aide to the panel.
The announcement comes days before a scheduled House vote on whether to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt of Congress for previously declining to comply with subpoenas in the investigation. Committee leaders had announced plans to advance contempt charges after the couple missed earlier deposition deadlines.
Attorneys for the Clintons said the couple will appear for sworn depositions on mutually agreed-upon dates and requested that the full chamber delay or withdraw the contempt vote. In a statement, representatives for the Clintons said they had “negotiated in good faith” and intended to participate in testimony.
“They negotiated in good faith. You did not,” spokesmen for the Clintons said in a statement. “They told under oath what they know, but you did not care. But the former president and former secretary of state will be there.”
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has said that in-person testimony is necessary for the panel’s inquiry, which focuses on the Clintons’ relationships with Epstein and information they may have about his activities. The committee has subpoenaed other individuals and documents as part of its investigation.
He also rejected any special caveats demanded by the former first couple.
“The Clintons are in contempt of Congress,” Comer posted on X. “Their attorneys’ latest letter makes clear they still expect special treatment because of their last name. The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas.”
No dates have yet been finalized for the depositions, and the committee said it will continue negotiating with the Clintons’ legal team on scheduling and logistics.
The Clintons are not accused of any wrongdoing, but their long-standing social and professional connections to Epstein have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers seeking details as part of a broader review of how Epstein and his associates operated.
The Oversight Committee voted two weeks ago to hold the Clintons in contempt after they refused to comply with lawful congressional subpoenas compelling testimony.
The votes marked a major escalation in the House’s long-running probe into Epstein’s political connections and represent the first time Congress has moved toward contempt citations for a former president and former cabinet official simultaneously.
The Oversight Committee’s Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee had issued subpoenas on July 23, 2025, requiring both Clintons to testify about their past associations with Epstein. Lawmakers say the depositions were necessary to determine whether any f
ederal agencies failed to pursue leads related to Epstein’s activities or his network of associates.
Bill Clinton was scheduled to appear on Jan. 13, followed by Hillary Clinton on Jan. 14, but both declined to attend. Their attorneys sent a letter to Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) calling the subpoenas “invalid” and “politically motivated,” arguing they lacked a legitimate legislative purpose.
In a joint public statement, the Clintons accused Republicans of “weaponizing Congress for political gain.”
“Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment,” the couple said. “This is not the way out of America’s ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves.”
Republicans pushed forward anyway. The committee voted 34–8 to advance the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton, with nine Democrats joining Republicans and two members voting present.
A separate measure to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt passed 28–15, with three Democrats siding with Republicans.
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Chairman Comer said the move was not political but a matter of principle. “The Committee does not take this action lightly,” he said..
