An upbeat Trump returns to Washington as White House aides reportedly prepare for a 'grim' 2018
![Trump returns to Washington](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6DAAKgsS4NmhZ6K4znwKTN-415-80.jpg)
President Trump returned to Washington on Monday in an upbeat mood, Politico says, well-rested after 10 days at his members-only club in Florida, with a big legislative win under his belt — tax reform — as well as historically low approval ratings and historically high White House turnover.
But it's the coming "brain drain" among senior White House officials that "has generated a sense of foreboding among White House aides," and that's just part of their "grim reality of 2018," Politico reports, citing interviews with "more than a dozen current and former officials and outside advisers." The White House is also dealing with the "shadow of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation" and slim hopes for any more big legislation, with Republicans facing stiff headwinds before the 2018 midterms and a slimmer 51-49 margin in the Senate. White House officials blame the difficulty in recruiting top new talent on the Mueller investigation.
Trump has been meeting with current and former political advisers to try to decide on his next move, pushing either for welfare reform or an infrastructure package that could win Democratic support. Several White House advisers are pushing for infrastructure, arguing it could keep the House in GOP hands after the midterms, but House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has been talking up big changes to welfare programs, Medicare, and Medicaid. Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Trump are scheduled to meet at Camp David this week to discuss their 2018 agenda; a senior administration official tells Politico that whatever they decide, he still expects "a lot of infighting."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Senate returns to session on Wednesday and the House next Monday, and regardless of what Trump decides, lawmakers have a very full plate for the next few weeks. You can read more about January's legislative flood at The Washington Post and the White House's concerns at Politico.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The lab-made meat that 'could kill the EU'
Under The Radar Concerned at 'unintended consequences for farming' some farmers are 'turning rabid' over the rise of cultured meat
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Magazine printables - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published