Mad House: How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress

This juicy debut account depicts the 118th Congress as marred by petty feuds and humiliating scandals. New York Times congressional correspondents Karni and Broadwater report that Congress’s “long-simmering dysfunction... reached its boiling point in 2023 and 2024,” with many members privately concluding the legislative body, which passed “the smallest number of bills since the Great Depression,” was “populated by a bunch of clowns.” The journalists take a wry look at memorable moments and new lows, including Marjorie Taylor Greene “displaying blown-up naked photos of Hunter Biden engaging in sex acts” at a hearing and Mike Rogers being “physically restrained” during the chaotic vote that ushered in Speaker Kevin McCarthy (who later became the first Speaker deposed by his own party), as well as surreal scenes such as McCarthy organizing Trump’s “Starburst candies for him,” separating out “only his favored flavors.” The book focuses mainly on House Republicans, who, with “the slimmest majority in history,” descended into infighting (the authors spotlight McCarthy’s rivalry with “problem child” Matt Gaetz, and “MAGA mean girls” Greene and Lauren Boebert’s penchant for “fighting loudly” on the House floor). Democrats get second billing but don’t escape Karni and Broadwater’s incisive gaze—they’re portrayed as resigned to the madness, with Chuck Schumer’s final plea to Biden to step down presented as a singular moment of assertiveness. Political junkies will appreciate this gossipy peek behind the Beltway curtain. (Mar.)