Trump returns to Capitol Hill and meets with Republican lawmakers, a first since Jan. 6 attack

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) Donald Trump made a triumphant return Thursday to Capitol Hill, whipping up House and Senate Republicans in his first meetings since the Jan.6, 2021, attacks. He was embraced by GOP lawmakers who find themselves newly energized by his bid to retake the White House.

Despite pending federal charges against Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, and his recent guilty verdict in an unrelated hush money trial, the Republican former president arrived emboldened as the party's presumptive nominee. He has successfully purged the GOP of critics, silenced most skeptics and enticed once-critical lawmakers aboard his MAGA-fueled campaign.

A packed room of House Republicans sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump in a private breakfast meeting at GOP campaign headquarters across the street from the Capitol. The lawmakers gave him a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game. Trump bragged that even his telephone rallies for lawmakers could draw bigger crowds than mega-popstar Taylor Swift, who has yet to make any endorsement.

“There's tremendous unity in the Republican Party," Trump said in brief remarks later at Senate GOP headquarters.

Trump spent about an hour each with House and Senate Republicans delivering free-wheeling remarks, fielding questions and discussing issues — including Russia and immigration, tax cuts and other priorities for a potential second term.

During the morning session, Trump said he thinks House Speaker Mike Johnson is doing a “terrific job,” according to a Republican in the private breakfast meeting and granted anonymity to discuss it. Trump asked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the speaker’s chief Republican critic, if she was being “nice” to Johnson, another Republican said.

“President Trump brought an extraordinary amount of energy, excitement and enthusiasm this morning,” Johnson said afterward, noting high fund-raising tallies since the guilty verdict. “We’re feeling good.”

The Republican speaker had demurred earlier over whether he’s asked Trump to respect the peaceful transfer of presidential power and commit to not doing another Jan. 6. “Of course he respects that, we all do, and we’ve all talked about it, ad nauseum.”

Thursday afternoon offered the first encounter in years between Trump and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who once blamed Trump for the “disgraceful” attack that he called an “insurrection” but now endorses the party’s presumptive nominee.

[marilyncalvert]

Jan 6 was a shocker to me but the way these guys lick shoes and what have you is horrible.

[kenethkuhn]

Let us never forget these traitors, vote wisely

[monkeyshineart]

Gross. They should have arrested him on the spot.

[sharebear]

The Felon went back to the scene of his crimes

[quesadilla]

Felon meets with cult members, returns to crime scene

[richardpauza]

Hey Gastapo, We Dont Need YOUR Version of Shut It.

[loreanjenkins]

Man go ahead and retire and stop running from your crimes For once in your life take responsibility for your actions. The evidence is overwhelming and you're been convicted.

[thomas]

You mean Convicted Felon Donald Trump visited the capital.

[Petunia-yx]

Can someone explain to me what is this man doing in capitol Hill with lawmakers??

We look so bad as a country this is so shameful…….

[Onehappyworlds]

A convicted felon back where he shouldn't be. He belongs in prison. Lock him up.

[robgrays]

All the losers that support him can go down with him and I won't say I told you so...just let it go...he lost!

[Candy-hdlu]

What a Banana Republic, alright . A convicted felon can still run for office. Seriously!!! .... smdh

[patsmith]

He shouldn’t even be allowed near the capital

[mesister]

The idol returns to line up his stooges for his next attempt to overthrow our government.

[taiviondukes]

What in the hell Trump call his ass doing never seen this shit in history

[woopig]

Get ready to take a back seat again, dems

[Petunia-yx]

Can someone explain to me what is this man doing in capitol Hill with lawmakers??

[joannadams]

Gross, he should never step foot inside our government again. Vote blue

[almeganbouchard]

That criminal should never be allowed at the Congress building he allowed it to be attacked

[GG-vkus]

After the insulting lies Trump has said about Mitch McConnell's wife? And he just shook Trump's hand? Mitch better keep his wife away from all the knives in the house. :|