2022 has been one of the most seismic years in modern American political history, with President Biden wrapping up his second year in office, the 2022 midterms, former President Donald Trump’s third run for the Presidency, and more. Here’s a look back at the crazy year 2022 was in Ishaan Media’s annual Political Year in Review Special.
Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, without a doubt, has become the most notable story of 2022 and arguably the decade thus far due to its immense impact on various aspects of life around the world from national security, to the cost of living crisis in many countries.
The war started on February 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine, after weeks of build up along the border and warnings from intelligence agencies around the world.
In the immediate impacts of the war, Ukrainian resistance being led by President Voldomyr Zelensky was strong and pushed back against Russian and Belarusian forces in the country, but fell victim to air strikes and defeats in key port cities. However, despite some of these defeats, Ukraine has defied odds and has stood up against the Russian aggression, where many had expected it to fall within a matter of hours.
On a geo-political level, the invasion united Western NATO countries in their opposition to the war, issuing stark sanctions against Russia, targeting individuals, oligarchs, companies, banks and politicians, including Vladimir Putin himself. The sanctions were aimed at crippling the Russian economy and cutting a financial source to the fund the war. In addition to the sanctions, Ukraine’s western supporters have also provided billions of dollars in military aid to support country. For example, the U.S. has provided over $50 billion aid, to support the country, and a further $45 billion in the U.S.’ latest Spending package.
The War has also had an immense impact on the cost of living, as oil prices, food prices, and supply chain costs rose due to both Russia and Ukraine’s involvement in the global economy. With the countries at war, the cost of energy and fuel have increased, furthering the effects of inflation, and the cost to manufacture has also gone up, impacting billions
House FloorCast
In December, President Zelensky came to the United States in his first trip out of the country to thank President Biden, and Congress for their support of Ukraine in 2022.
January 6th Committee Concludes Investigation
The January 6th committee, after over a year and a half of investigating, interviewing, and reporting, finally concluded its probe, just days before Republicans are set to take control of the House of Representatives.
2022 marked a big year for the committee, as it began to very publicly release its findings via its televised hearings, making more testimony and records available for the American people to see.
In its final televised hearing, the committee made the unprecedented step to issue a criminal referral to the Department of Justice for former President Donald Trump to be charged with 4 crimes including obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the government, and inciting or assisting an insurrection. In addition to the referral, the committee also voted to issue its final report of findings, testimony and recommendations with further criminal referrals for Trump administration alumni, among others.
The political ramifications were worst for the committee’s two Republicans Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), neither of whom will returning to Congress in 2023 owing much of it to their involvement in the committee.
Roe Overturned
One of the more biggest political Earthquakes of 2022 was the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in a 5-4 ruling. The ruling, which was issued in 1973, ruled access to an abortion to be a constitutionally protected right across the country. The ruling was the culmination of decades of effort from the conservative right to overturn a policy they saw as immoral. Many Republican led states had already passed strict abortion regulations and regulations, and since they ruling, many have banned, and even criminalized the process.
The decision was expected however, after Politico obtained a leaked draft opinion of the decision in May, which showed the Court’s intention to reverse the nearly 50 year precedent. The opinion was drafted by Justice Samuel Alito, and he was joined by 4 of the 5 other conservatives on the court: Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The ruling was a massive victory for conservatives, and cemented much of judicial rights goals that dated back 50 years.
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Courts three liberals in dissent, citing the courts lack of authority in this area, and the magnitude of such a decision. Democrats, who have been long proponents of Abortion rights tried, but failed to pass a measure to codify Roe v. Wade in May, which now leaves the issue of abortion in the hands of the states.
In the world of politics, the decision was a huge issue for the 2022 campaign and many Democrats attribute their victories in November to the issue of abortion being on the ballot. In addition to candidates, many pro-choice ballot measures, including those in Kansas and Michigan were successfully passed as a result of the Ruling. The future of abortion rights in America remains to be seen as we enter 2023, but will continue to be a major issue as it has for decades prior.
Mass Shootings and Gun Law
2022 was marred with devastating mass shootings across the country, including the devastating attacks in Buffalo, New York, the Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and 4th of July shooting Highland Park, Illinois . 2022 has been one of the worst years on record for mass shootings as they have continued to become more and more common in recent years.
In response to the uptick in mass shootings, Congress passed bipartisan Fun Safety Legislation called the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” which would, among other things, prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms through background checks, promoting “Red Flag Laws” and tackling Gun trafficking. Negotiations for the historic legislation were led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
The Legislation represents one of the most in depth and significant pieces of gun legislation since the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban.
Trump’s Third Run for the Presidency
The most expected announcement of 2022, was arguably former President Donald Trump’s third run for the Presidency which he made in November, just one week after the 2022 midterms.
President Trump had been sitting on a third run since the moment he had left office in January 2021. His announcement came after he has spent nearly 2 years out of the main political sphere. The decision came as no surprise to anyone as the former President had been teasing a run repeatedly in rallies, and at events. He declared in June of 2021, in a Fox News Town Hall moderated by ally Sean Hannity, that he had made up his mind about running for the top job, but came just short of confirming it.
Trump’s status as the leader of the Republican party came into question after a poorer than expected performance in the 2022 Midterms, which immediately stole much of the momentum he otherwise would have had for his Presidential run, despite the fact that he blames his endorsed candidates for losses in key races in swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and others.
Trump’s run so far has been burdened by mishaps and blunders which has resulted in him garnering far less traction than his previous two runs for the Presidency. He has also faced a slew of controversies after his disastrous dinner with anti-semite rapper Kanye West, and known White nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. The dinner garnered significant criticism and condemnation from both sides of the aisle, Trump for his part has claimed that West unexpectedly showed up with Fuentes, whom he claimed not to know. In addition to the dinner, Trump’s business, the Trump Organization, was convicted of 17 counts of criminal fraud. Whether or not Trump’s run sustains will be left to time.
The 2022 Midterms
The biggest story of the year in politics has been the 2022 midterms. Everything that has been discussed in politics for the past 2 years has led up to this year’s midterm elections, which were set to be consequential for President Biden’s agenda.
Before the midterms, Democrats narrowly controlled both houses of Congress with majorities of just a few seats. These narrow majorities made it difficult for President Biden and congressional leaders to pass his agenda as defections within the parties ranks stalled any politically beneficial policies from passing through. Going into 2022, Democrats’ agenda was to expand on their majority to allow for some more breathing room in passing their policies and the Biden agenda. For Republicans, the goal was take back control to challenge the Biden agenda, and investigate the Biden administration.
As the year went on, the political environment seemed to look harder and harder for Democrats as they tackled record high inflation, and President Biden faced stark unpopularity among the American people. Republicans capitalized on judicial wins (including the overturning of Roe v. Wade), and President Biden’s unpopularity caused by rampant inflation and increased fuel prices. Ishaan Media, and other organizations predicted that Republicans were going to celebrate a “Red Wave” on election day.
However as election day arrived, the “Red Wave” ended up becoming a “ripple”, and nothing more. While Republicans ended up taking back control of the House, they only did so by the narrowest of margins, underperforming most people’s expectations for the night, including their own, and failed to capture the Senate, with Democrats in fact increasing their majority by one seat after the Georgia Senate runoff election.
Historically speaking, the President’s party does not do well following their first midterms, so the better than expected showing was rather unfamiliar to most political observers. Democrats attribute it to discussing and advocating for issues that voters cared about, while some Republicans, such as Senate minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) attribute it to Trump endorsed candidate quality issues on the Republican side, suggesting Republicans would have otherwise beaten Democrats with stronger candidates.
The New congress is also bringing some news, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) stepping down from House Leadership, and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) struggling to garner the votes to be elected speaker in just a couple of days. How the new Congress shapes out to be will have to be seen in 2023.
Special Thank You
The Ishaan S. Show thanks you for your continued support of this show, and everything that all of you have done to allow for such a prosperous and successful 2022. From prominent guests, to our first tie covering an election, to historic listenership, our second calendar year, has reigned in great success that was never expected. Thank you for everything that you have done for this show, and we hop to be your source for political news in 2023!