WASHINGTON (TNS) — My prediction that President Joe Biden would drop out was a rare bright spot among last year’s not totally serious predictions.
Undaunted, I try again by looking ahead to 2025:
January — House re-elects Speaker Mike Johnson on third ballot after he agrees to make Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene assistant speaker. Outgoing Biden commutes sentences of 1,250 non-violent drug offenders and pardons Donald Trump for “all past and future offenses.” In his inaugural speech, Trump thanks “my friend, Joe Biden” for his service. Trump issues an executive order to begin deporting illegal immigrants. Boise State wins the college football title. Senate Intelligence Committee rejects Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as director of national intelligence. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary on a 50-50 tie broken by Vice President JD Vance.
February — Congress passes previously stalled legislation providing additional funds for immigration enforcement. Trump names Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as director of national intelligence, elevating his close ally Dan Patrick to governorship. Trump launches probe of mystery drone sightings. Detroit Lions defeat Kansas City to win Super Bowl for first championship in 67 years. KC’s Travis Kelce retires and proposes to Taylor Swift. Twelve Democratic state attorneys general file suit in Michigan federal court to block deportations. Democratic National Committee elects Rahm Emanuel as new chair.
March — Trump imposes a 20% tariff on all U.S. imports. Stock market drops 20%. President rejects Elon Musk proposal to merge Army and Air Force, potentially saving $500 billion. Trump invites Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Budapest to settle the war. Zelenskyy refuses. Trump vetoes congressional resolution extending federal funding, forcing a partial federal shutdown.
April — In a stunning upset, Democrats win one of two special elections in heavily Republican Florida districts, cutting GOP House margin to 219-216. Trump signs a resolution to reopen government. Duke defeats Gonzaga to win college basketball title. Congress ends U.S. military aid for Ukraine. Zelenskyy agrees to meet Trump and Putin. Alexander Ovechkin finishes season two goals short of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time National Hockey League record. Zelenskyy agrees to a ceasefire on current battle lines, granting Russia additional land in the eastern part of the country.
May — Trump rejects Musk’s proposal to remove the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes, which would have raised taxes on wealthy participants but extended solvency of system. Taylor Swift accepts Travis Kelce proposal. Democrats score upset victory in special election for U.N. Ambassador Elise Stefanik’s Upstate New York House seat, cutting GOP margin to 218-217. Former Vice President Kamala Harris announces she’ll seek California governorship in 2026.
June — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wins eight-way Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. Washington Capitals upset Dallas Stars to win their second Stanley Cup. Boston Celtics defend their NBA title. Trump rejects Musk proposal to cut veterans health benefits to save $300 billion. Michigan federal court rules Trump deportation order unconstitutional. Administration seeks immediate Supreme Court hearing.
July — Israel holds a war-delayed election and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu loses to a centrist coalition. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, a former journalist, takes over. Trump announces the mysterious drones were launched by billionaire and White House adviser Elon Musk. Congress passes tax bill extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts and removing taxes on tipped income and Social Security benefits. Congressional Budget Office projects $4.2 trillion deficit for next year. Stock market hits new 2025 low.
August — Deaths of two House members, one from each party, create vacancies cutting GOP margin to 217-216. Speaker Johnson fires head of Congressional Budget Office for “misleading projections.” The Supreme Court schedules deportation appeal for October. In war-delayed Ukraine election, Zelenskyy is defeated by Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, his top military leader. Trump’s job approval dips below 50. Trump names Bettina Anderson as U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe after reported breakup with Donald Trump Jr.
September — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift get married in KC’s Arrowhead Stadium on national television before NFL opener. Trump presents Musk-Ramaswamy report to Congress, calling for $150 billion in budget reductions, well short of their original $2 trillion goal. Targets include the new FBI headquarters, the $16 billion Hudson River Rail Tunnel, and the California high speed rail project. Musk resigns as unpaid presidential adviser and announces he will seek the Texas governorship. Ramaswamy resigns, announces candidacy for Ohio governorship.
October — In Washington Capitals’ hockey opener, Alexander Ovechkin scores hat trick to become all-time National Hockey League goals leader. Federal grand jury rejects Justice Department effort to indict former Rep. Liz Cheney for “witness tampering” in Jan. 6 probe. Conservative Pierre Poilievre ousts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canadian election. New York Mets upset 2024 champion Los Angeles Dodgers in National League Championship Series but lose World Series to underdog Las Vegas Athletics.
November — Democrat Abigail Spanberger elected governor of Virginia, continuing 48-year pattern of victories by the party that lost the prior presidential race. But Republican Jack Ciattarelli, narrow 2021 loser, scores upset in New Jersey. Democrats win both special House elections, overturning GOP’s 218-217 majority. The Supreme Court upholds Trump executive order, and deportations begin. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz resigns to become University of Minnesota football coach.
December — Unemployment takes a sudden upward surge. Trump’s job approval drops to 44. New House Democratic majority elects New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as first Black speaker. Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark becomes first female majority leader. Republicans oust Johnson, make Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan minority leader. Trump names former Speaker Johnson as ambassador to Pacific islands of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru and Tuvalu.
(Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Readers may write to him via email at carl.p.leubsdorf@gmail.com.)
