It was a volatile year that saw some economic highs and political in-fighting lows around a Supreme Court nominee, all under the microscope of a special counsel investigation into Russia’s meddling in the presidential election and capped off by a blue wave in the House of Representatives’ midterm elections.
The Capitol is seen on the first morning of a partial government shutdown, as Democratic and Republican lawmakers are at a standoff with President Donald Trump on spending for his border wall, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Government operations will be disrupted during the shutdown and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed or forced to work without pay just days before Christmas. (AP)
“We are the economic envy of the entire world,” Trump said on July 27, citing strong job numbers and a boost in wages and gross domestic product.
The president negotiated new trade deals with Canada, Mexico and China, but some analysts fear the bubble may burst in 2019, particularly since the stock market sustained massive losses in Decembers.
FILE – In this April 9, 2018, file photo, Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, right, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington. A U.S. administration official says that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will leave his post Jan. 1, 2019, as Trump is expected to name Shanahan as acting secretary. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) (AP)
There was initial optimism for bipartisan action after the horrific Parkland, FL, school shooting in February that killed 17. That soon faded.
Speaking about legislation addressing gun violence, Sen. John Cornyn, R – TX. “If we can get 60 votes for it, Mr. President, I’m all for it.”
The administration banned bump stocks later in the year. Bump stocks had been used in a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017.
FILE – In this Feb. 14, 2018 file photo. students are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. In more than 600 pages of interviews with investigators, released Dec. 19, officers each gave their individual tale of how a peaceful Valentine’s Day suddenly turned to horror when they learned of the shooting at the high school. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) (AP)
It included emotional confirmation hearings that included…
