Political climate in 2024 six months before the election remains significant.

New political norm emerges six months prior to 2024's election.

In the midst of campus protests over Israel's aggression towards Gaza, the White House attempts to minimize the fallout. Some Democrats worry that images of unrest could benefit Trump, fearing the potential disruption of Biden's coalition.

This situation comes as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson might face a vote this week, potentially leading to his ousting. He relies on Democrats to save him.

We're in the midst of an eventful week in American politics, where chaotic forces continue to affect both parties, foreshadowing a tense lead-up to an election that could significantly alter the nation.

The Trump trial enters a key phase

Trump's trial in a Manhattan courtroom continues, where he is accused of falsifying business records to hide an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors claim he tried to deceive voters in 2016, participating in early electoral interference. Trump maintains the affair didn’t happen and has pleaded not guilty to this and to three other charges.

With Trump frequently assaulting witnesses, causing him to incur penalties for violating gag orders, the prosecutors are keeping witness lists private. However, during last week's testimony, Hope Hicks, former White House communications director, took the stand under a subpoena. She potentially aided the prosecution case by suggesting Trump admitted to her that Michael Cohen had paid Daniels. Hicks also revealed that Trump considered dealing with the story after the election to prevent harm to his family. But Trump's lawyer, Emil Bove, managed to extract a statement during cross-examination that could bolster the main defense argument, as Hicks noted her boss was worried about the Daniels story because it could damage his family.

More notable testimony is expected following Michael Cohen, Trump's ex-lawyer, who ended up in prison due to tax fraud, false statements to Congress, and campaign finance violations.

As the trial proceeds, Trump's disposition is becoming more testy. He showcases the extremism that might dictate a second term, threatening American democracy after his humiliating exit from office in 2021. Trump continues to accuse Democrats of conspiring against him. However, there's no evidence to support these claims. Trump's anti-Democrat remarks are becoming increasingly bold, disregarding historical context. For instance, he compared the Biden administration to the Nazi Secret Police during a private event at Mar-a-Lago. By regularly using inflammatory rhetoric, Trump threatens to disrupt the electoral process.

Last week, the former president refused to guarantee he would respect the election's outcome. In an interview with Time magazine, he expressed the possibility of violence relying on the "fairness" of the election.

In response, a Biden campaign spokesperson, James Singer, claimed Trump's Mar-a-Lago comments were indicative of a potential second term with a focus on vengeance. Singer said, "Trump is once again making despicable and insulting comments about the Holocaust, while simultaneously attacking law enforcement, celebrating political violence, and threatening our democracy."

Democrats confront the consequences of campus protests

The Democratic Party grapples with the repercussions of campus protests over Israel's actions in Gaza.

These protests have emerged as a significant challenge to Biden's support among progressive and younger voters, who are essential to his chances of defeating Trump in November.

Biden spoke out for the first time on camera last Thursday, expressing that the right to protest was integral to American life but condemning the use of violence during demonstrations. He denounced antisemitic incidents against Jewish students, and reaffirmed his support for Israel, despite his previous demands for better civilian protection in Gaza.

Trump and Republicans seize on the protests to promote their narrative that Biden is failing to maintain law and order.

However, on CNN's "State of the Union," Mitch Landrieu, the Biden campaign's national co-chair, disagreed with Senator Bernie Sanders' likening of the current protests to the anti-Vietnam War mood in 1968, which led President Lyndon Johnson to abandon his reelection attempt. Landrieu deemed Sanders' assessment an "overexaggeration." Landrieu added, "This is a very different circumstance. I think those who actually lived through that very challenging time would say that this isn't comparable. Nevertheless, this is not to say that this isn't a very serious matter."

Some Democrats are dismissing the significance of the ongoing protests, pointing to polls that indicate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a low priority for many young voters. However, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, an advocate of Israel during the conflict, cautioned that pro-Palestinian demonstrators could inadvertently support Trump in November. Specifically, if they aim to sway Michigan - where Arab Americans constitute a considerable portion of the Democratic electorate - Fetterman said, "If you want to play with that fire, you better own that fire." Fetterman also urged Democrats not to abandon Biden over the issue, warning, "If you are willing to walk away or to actually vote for someone else, you are going to throw your vote away and you are on the Trump train and you better watch out for the wreck."

Another prominent Democrat, California Rep. Ro Khanna, disagreed, conveying that the protests represent an opportunity for productive discussions. He compared this moment to anti-Vietnam, anti-apartheid, and anti-Iraq War protests, emphasizing the need to end the war and free the hostages held by Hamas.

Johnson's battle for continuance

A potentially tumultuous political development this week involves efforts to remove Johnson spearheaded by Greene. Despite the likelihood of House Democrats voting to preserve Johnson's leadership following his support of Biden's €1.4 billion Ukraine funding request, the sheer chaos of recent House Republican leadership battles makes his future uncertain. Many GOP members, even those dubious of Johnson, are reluctant for a new governance fiasco like the multiple ballots to elect his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, and the vote to eject and subsequently replace McCarthy.

Far-right extremists in the GOP, seizing the slim majority, have effectively paralyzed the House since the party ascended to power post-2022 midterm elections. But although Trump, Johnson's ally, has seemingly endorsed him and expressed disdain for more internal GOP strife that would potentially hinder his and the GOP's chances in the upcoming elections, Greene is adamant about pursuing the challenge, accusing Johnson of alienating Republican core supporters.