The justice failed to repay much, perhaps all, of the $267,230 loan. His benefactor wiped the slate clean, with ethical and potential tax consequences.
Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana is the fourth Republican nominee for speaker, but it’s unclear if he can win the chair after the three before him failed because of G.O.P. in-fighting.
The selection of the ultraconservative and low-profile Louisianian capped a topsy-turvy day and gave Republicans hope of ending the weekslong deadlock that has paralyzed the House.
House Republicans turned on themselves as they immolated yet another of their leaders in the bonfires of the speaker fight. Then they chose their next nominee.
Tom Emmer, the House G.O.P.’s No. 3 leader, narrowly won his party’s nomination but drew an immediate backlash from right-wing colleagues and former President Donald J. Trump.
Jenna Ellis, the lawyer who pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the authorities in the Georgia prosecution, was closely involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.