A look ahead to what might happen in 2025

My prediction that President Joe Biden would drop out was a rare bright spot among last year’s not totally serious predictions. Undaunted, I try again by looking ahead to 2025:

January — House re-elects Speaker Mike Johnson on third ballot after he agrees to make Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene assistant speaker. Outgoing President Biden commutes sentences of 1,250 non-violent drug offenders and pardons Donald Trump for “all past and future offenses.” In his inaugural speech, Trump thanks “my friend, Joe Biden” for his service.

February — Congress passes previously stalled legislation providing additional funds for immigration enforcement. Trump names Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as director of national intelligence, elevating his close ally Dan Patrick to governorship. Trump launches probe of mystery drone sightings. Twelve Democratic state attorneys general file suit in Michigan federal court to block deportations. Democratic National Committee elects Rahm Emanuel as new chair.

March — Trump imposes a 20 percent tariff on all U.S. imports. Stock market drops 20%. President rejects Elon Musk proposal to merge Army and Air Force, potentially saving $500 billion. Trump invites Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Budapest to settle the war. Zelenskyy refuses. Trump vetoes congressional resolution extending federal funding, forcing a partial federal shutdown.

April — In a stunning upset, Democrats win one of two special elections in heavily Republican Florida districts, cutting GOP House margin to 219-216. Trump signs a resolution to reopen government. Duke defeats Gonzaga to win college basketball title. Congress ends US military aid for Ukraine. Zelenskyy agrees to meet Trump and Putin.

May — Trump rejects Musk’s proposal to remove the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes, which would have raised taxes on wealthy participants but extended solvency of system. Former Vice President Kamala Harris announces she’ll seek California governorship in 2026.

June — Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wins eight-way Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. Washington Capitals upset Dallas Stars to win their second Stanley Cup. Boston Celtics defend their NBA title. Trump rejects Musk proposal to cut veterans health benefits to save $300 billion. Michigan federal court rules Trump deportation order unconstitutional. Administration seeks immediate Supreme Court hearing.

July — Israel holds a war-delayed election and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu loses to a centrist coalition. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, a former journalist, takes over. Trump announces the mysterious drones were launched by billionaire and White House adviser Elon Musk.

August — Deaths of two House members, one from each party, create vacancies cutting GOP margin to 217-216. Speaker Johnson fires head of Congressional Budget Office for “misleading projections.” The Supreme Court schedules deportation appeal for October. In war-delayed Ukraine election, Zelenskyy is defeated by General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, his top military leader.

September — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift get married in KC’s Arrowhead Stadium on national television before NFL opener. Trump presents Musk-Ramaswamy report to Congress, calling for $150 billion in budget reductions, well short of their original $2 trillion goal. Targets include the new FBI headquarters, the $16 billion Hudson River Rail Tunnel, and the California high speed rail project. Musk resigns as unpaid presidential adviser and announces he will seek the Texas governorship. Ramaswamy resigns, announces candidacy for Ohio governorship.

October — In Washington Capitals’ hockey opener, Alexander Ovechkin scores hat trick to become all-time National Hockey League goals leader. Federal grand jury rejects Justice Department effort to indict former Rep. Liz Cheney for “witness tampering” in Jan. 6 probe. Conservative Pierre Poilievre ousts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canadian election. New York Mets upset 2024 champion Los Angeles Dodgers in National League Championship Series but lose World Series to underdog Las Vegas Athletics.

November — Democrat Abigail Spanberger elected governor of Virginia, continuing 48-year pattern of victories by the party that lost the prior presidential race. But Republican Jack Ciattarelli, narrow 2021 loser, scores upset in New Jersey. Democrats win both special House elections, overturning GOP’s 218-217 majority. The Supreme Court upholds Trump executive order, and deportations begin. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz resigns to become University of Minnesota football coach.