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This week in politics: Government shutdown prevented, Trump's mounting legal troubles

Savannah Kuchar   | Paste BN
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A partial government shutdown was averted this week, after Congress narrowly passed a measure to delay agreement on a spending bill for another week. 

After teasing a "MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT" earlier in the week, former President Donald Trump revealed Thursday his limited edition, superhero-themed digital trading cards. The $99 product was met with a mix of reactions, including ridicule.

The week held other challenges for Trump and his 2024 presidential bid, from legal troubles related to January 6, 2021, to his own declining popularity.

What happened in politics this week?

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Will there be a government shutdown?

At least for the next week, Congress was able to prevent a partial government shutdown, with the House and then Senate passing a stopgap measure to grant additional time for spending bill negotiations.

Disagreement between congressional Republicans and Democrats hinged on domestic spending. This latest measure gives Congress until the end of next week to come to an agreement on the spending plan. Otherwise, they will have to pass another short-term measure that would push the issue into the new year and onto the new Congress where Republicans once again control the House.

Same-sex marriage rights signed into law

Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law Tuesday, after the bill to enshrine same-sex and interracial marriage rights passed the House last week and the Senate before that. The law came as a response to perceived threats to these rights by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in his concurring opinion overturning Roe v. Wade this summer.

Could Trump face further legal troubles from the Jan. 6 committee?

The Jan. 6 House committee announced they will hold their last hearing Monday, followed by the release of a final report. Based on testimony during a series of hearings since June, the committee will vote next week on recommendations to the Justice Department, which could include a non-binding request to charge the former President Trump in connection with the 2021 failed insurrection.

The DOJ is currently investigating the attack on the Capitol. 

Amid these legal troubles, Trump's lagging popularity is already causing possible troubles for his reelection bid, announced last month. GOP leaders and voters seem to favor Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to recent polling.

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