According to sources with connections to Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Capitol next week, as the House of Representatives prepares to elect a new Speaker.
The Speaker is the highest-ranking member of the House and is responsible for setting the House’s legislative agenda and managing the chamber’s schedule each session.
The current House Speaker is Nancy Pelosi, who has been in the role since 2007. Pelosi is expected to announce a decision on her future soon.
If Pelosi does not stand for re-election, the Republican and Democratic caucuses will both need to nominate a candidate for the role.
The White House has yet to make an official statement on Trump’s expected trip to Capitol Hill, but sources say he will attend the proceedings in person.
The move is being seen as an attempt to demonstrate his support for either the Republican or the Democratic nominee—whichever one he believes will best serve the interests of his administration.
The potential for a visit from a sitting president is seen as a risky move, as the House elections—normally an internal matter—will be taking place in the full glare of the public and the media.
Analysts believe that the visit could be used as a platform for Trump to express his opinion on the House Speaker elections, which could potentially signal a changing of the guard in Washington.
No matter the outcome, Trump’s visit is certain to be a major moment in the political landscape of our nation. All eyes will be on Capitol Hill next week, as the House chooses its new leader and sets the country’s legislative agenda for the coming weeks and months.