Trump suffers rare back-to-back defeats in Republican-led Congress

The president's grip on GOP lawmakers is slipping in ways he isn't used to — and clearly does not like.

Friday, January 09, 2026 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS Trump suffers rare back-to-back defeats in Republican-led Congress Trump suffers rare back-to-back defeats in Republican-led Congress The president's grip on GOP lawmakers is slipping in ways he isn't used to — and clearly does not like. MORE JD Vance says a bit too much about White House control over the Justice Department There was good reason to suspect Team Trump was calling the shots at DOJ. The vice president helped remove all doubt. MORE JD Vance says a bit too much about White House control over the Justice Department There was good reason to suspect Team Trump was calling the shots at DOJ. The vice president helped remove all doubt. MORE As Elon Musk amplifies white supremacist messaging, will Republicans keep his money? As the billionaire eyes a new round of support for GOP candidates, it's worth asking whether his contributions are radioactive. MORE As Elon Musk amplifies white supremacist messaging, will Republicans keep his money? As the billionaire eyes a new round of support for GOP candidates, it's worth asking whether his contributions are radioactive. MORE U.S. job market ends a woeful year on another discouraging note If this is "the greatest economy in the history of our country," as Donald Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? MORE U.S. job market ends a woeful year on another discouraging note If this is "the greatest economy in the history of our country," as Donald Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG DNI Gabbard missing from the stage amid ongoing international crises On using U.S. might, Trump says he's constrained by his 'morality,' not international law Trump says he wants Greenland because it's 'psychologically needed for success' Cruz backs impeachment effort targeting judges who've ruled against the White House NYC Mayor Mamdani calls for ACCOUNTABILITY for ICE killing of Minneapolis mom JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE Rachel Maddow on Trump Being Extremely Unpopular, ICE Shooting in Minneapolis & Peaceful Protests   Watch the clip from last night's Jimmy Kimmel Live on YouTube. WHAT'S ON RACHEL'S BLUESKY RADAR? Protesters in Pittsfield express outrage at ICE killing of woman in Minneapolis (Berkshire Eagle) Norwalk Protest Follows Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis (Nancy on Norwalk) "Among the presidents to serve two terms since World War II, only Richard Nixon had a lower approval (29 per cent) at the end of his fifth year in office…" (Chatham House) Protesters march in downtown Detroit following ICE shooting in Minneapolis (WXYZ) Hundreds rally in Indianapolis after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis (WFYI) Iowa… Cedar Rapids protesters call for ICE accountability after deadly Minnesota shooting (KCRG) idaho… Protesters gather outside Boise City Hall to protest ICE shooting in Minneapolis (KTVB) north dakota… Moorhead event planned to honor woman killed by ICE agent in Minneapolis (Inforum) Worcester crowd stages peaceful protest against ICE after Minneapolis killing (MassLive) "I invite all Americans to join Minnesota in a day of unity tomorrow." (Governor Tim Walz) BREAKING NEWS: We are opening a formal investigation into the shooting involving federal agents in Portland today.  Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews (Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield) Kansas City protesters call for abolishing ICE and remembering woman killed by agent (KCUR) Protest & vigil at Florida State Capitol after deadly ICE confrontation in Minnesota (WTXL) Locals protest ICE shooting of Minneapolis woman outside Huntsville City Hall (Video) (Sot on Alabama) Hundreds protest in Maine following ICE shooting in Minneapolis (New Center Maine) Baltimore groups protest ICE in aftermath of deadly Minnesota shooting (CBS News) Protesters at SC State House demand justice for Renee Good, shot by ICE (WACH) Protestors gather outside Markwayne Mullin's Tulsa office protesting against ICE (WLKY) Protestors gather outside Markwayne Mullin's Tulsa office protesting against ICE (Fox23) 'She was assassinated': Tucsonans pour out in protest after ICE kills Minnesota woman (Calo News Arizona) 'Killing our own citizens': Ohio protesters call for ICE to leave, outraged by shootings (ABC6) Las Vegas protesters rally against ICE after deadly shooting in Minneapolis (KTNV) Protesters rally in Burlington after deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis (WCAX) 'Out of New York now': Anti-ICE protesters march day after deadly Minneapolis shooting (NBC New York) Photos: Protests grow over the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis (NPR) Hundreds in Durham protest ICE after Minnesota woman's death (WRAL) Immigration agent's killing of Minneapolis mother prompts local vigils, calls to abolish ICE (Boston Globe) Houston protesters rally against Minneapolis ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good (Houston Chronicle) Hundreds protest in Philadelphia against Minneapolis ICE shooting (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Connecticut rallies protest ICE shooting death of Minnesota mom Renee Good (CT Insider) At the last-minute vigil at Portland City Hall, organized to honor the two people shot this afternoon by federal agents. Several Portland councilors will hold a press conference here starting in 10 min. (Taylor Griggs) Faith leaders from CLUE and LA Rapid Response Network hold vigil for Rene Good at LA Federal Building this morning. @maddow.bsky.social (View from Argus) This Atlanta protest for #ReneeNicoleGood started seven minutes ago and there's already a few hundred here.  @maddow.bsky.social (Simon Says what have we done?) Knoxville, Tennessee tonight  @msnownews.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social  #AbolishICE (Shari Elaine) @maddow.bsky.social  @msnowreports.bsky.social Pictures of the hastily organized protest in Jacksonville, FL. (Catherine Keyser) @maddow.bsky.social vigil for Rene, 1/8 Burlington, VT (ArtistInBlue) Follow Rachel Maddow on Bluesky here. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? 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