Sequels are all the rage for Hollywood, and the same is true in Washington D.C. 

We’re two weeks away from the official launch of the Trump-Musk administration and even before inauguration, chaos and lies return to D.C. The chaos: an intra-MAGA war over immigration, with co-president-elect Musk raging over the possible loss of the right to import lower-wage tech support for his companies whiles MAGAs fume. And we had a messy start to the legislative session as Mike Johnson wins underwhelming but enough support for staying on as Speaker.

The lies: the other co-president offers alternative facts in falsely linking the horrific terrorist attack in New Orleans to his obsession over immigration on the southwest border. The terrorist was a U.S. born military veteran … but you’d think from Trump’s statements he had snuck into the country from Mexico.

Topping Michigan’s political news: the state’s Democrats are uniting around Curtis Hertel Jr. as the new party chair, and the contenders for national party chair will begin their series of public debates next week in Detroit.

In the latter contest, there are signs that a 24-year-old activist will be elected vice chair, with Parkland mass shooting survivor David Hogg scoring major points with his ideas for year-round party building.

Some of the other stories on our radar this week:

• 
  
• GOP political consultant seeks Michigan Republican Party chair – Detroit News
  
• Federal courts won’t refer Clarence Thomas to AG – AP News
  
• The culture war over transgender people. Out of the 510,000 NCAA athletes there are about 10 transgender women. https://www.publicnotice.co/
  
• Schumer endorses Ben Wikler for Democratic National Committee chairman – The Washington Post
  
• US poised to see dramatic drop in homicides for 3rd straight year – ABC News
  
• Detroit on pace for fewest killings since 1965, fewest carjackings ever – Detroit News $$
  
• Trans rights to be marquee fight for House Republicans – POLITICO
  

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