Republicans squirm as Trump pursues legacy, control and revenge
Emboldened, President Donald Trump is seemingly determined to flex his grip on the GOP at any cost.
With less than six months left in the midterm elections, Republicans are beginning to confront a president focused on increasing the number of lawmakers who oppose him, asserting his control over his party and polishing his legacy, putting the GOP’s legislative agenda and the survival of their majority at risk.
This showdown is taking place on Capitol Hill this week; Frustrated Republicans (including some lawmakers Trump kicked out of the party) are joining with Democrats to rebuke Trump. Management of the Iranian warrefuse public money for him White House ballroom And Condemning the “anti-proliferation” fund this can be used to pay presidential allies.
It appears that neither Trump nor many of his allies in Congress are ready to heed that message. Instead they redouble their loyalty. Speaker Mike Johnson sought to assuage any concerns at a conference call Wednesday, arguing that the president “knows what’s at stake” this November and that the GOP is working to maintain control in the House and Senate.
But I asked about Trump Impeachment of Kentucky Representative Thomas MassieThe speaker, one of the few remaining GOP stragglers in Congress, made clear that a certain level of dissent would not be tolerated.
“We need people here who aren’t trying to get their own way and who aren’t doing anything disruptive or counterproductive, and that’s what’s going on,” Johnson said. “That’s the message.”
Just as Johnson was speaking, Trump turned his fire on another GOP lawmaker, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents the purple Pennsylvania district that Kamala Harris won in 2024 and is widely seen as the only Republican who could keep it.
Trump attacked Fitzpatrick when she was asked by a Fox News reporter who is engaged to him: “She likes to vote against Trump. You know what happens in this situation? It’s not going well.”
On the heels of Trump’s move to impeach two incumbent GOP senators, many Republicans blanched as the president again unloaded one of their own.
“This is stupid,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who has chosen to retire at the end of his current term after clashing with Trump on many issues.
“He seems to have given up on keeping the majority and focusing on loyalty to the minority,” said another House Republican, who asked to remain anonymous.
Fitzpatrick told reporters that Trump’s attacks would have “zero” impact on his positions: “He can say whatever he wants. It doesn’t affect me at all. It doesn’t hurt my feelings.”
Of course, some Republicans openly applaud the president’s bare-knuckle crackdown on opponents within the party. But others are despondent that the president’s attention is on the ballroom, the triumphal arch, and the domestic revenge campaign as gasoline prices continue to rise and the Iran war drags on with little outcome in sight.
“I believe there are people in the White House who don’t care about what happens in November,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who, like Bacon, is retiring. “And that just shows you how stupid they are, because if they don’t re-elect Republicans, they’re going to have the most miserable two years of this president’s life.”
Trump officials dismiss concerns about the president’s focus.
White House press secretary Olivia Wales touted the president’s policy accomplishments, including border security, tax cuts and reductions in violent crime. He said the president will continue to “create contrast” with Democrats by emphasizing his “common sense agenda” ahead of the election.
“President Trump is the undisputed leader, the best messenger, and an unparalleled motivator for the Republican party,” Wales said, while RNC spokeswoman Kiersten Pels said “voters continue to reward candidates who overwhelmingly stand with the President and his winning movement.”
A senior White House official said other Republicans should concede given Trump’s hold on GOP voters: “The sooner they realize that President Trump is the ultimate force in politics, the sooner they will realize that opposing him is an exercise in futility.”
On Capitol Hill, GOP House leaders took a less bombastic approach in defending Fitzpatrick against Trump’s barbs.
“Look, Brian Fitzpatrick has a very difficult district — he has an independent streak, as we all know — but he is a very close friend and colleague of mine,” Johnson said in an interview later Wednesday, adding that he was “working hard to get him re-elected.”
Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who leads the House GOP campaign arm, declined to comment on Trump’s attack but said “it’s really important to hold this seat to keep the majority.”
Party loyalty was an even more sensitive issue in the Senate this week, as Republicans were reeling from the president’s successful campaign to end Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy’s two-term career in the chamber and his recent endorsement undermining Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s reelection bid.
“There’s growing frustration that the president won’t direct his anger at Democrats instead of Republicans,” said a senior Senate GOP aide who was granted anonymity to speak publicly.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the tough reality he faces Wednesday, a day after Cassidy helped develop a measure to rein in Trump’s military campaign against Iran: “Obviously, there’s always a consequence to impeaching sitting U.S. senators.” “Obviously he has his favorites and people he wants to support and that’s his prerogative, but what we’re dealing with here is moving an agenda,” Thune said. he added. “Obviously this could get a little more complicated.”
Trump’s refusal to tolerate any disagreements with a fellow Republican or move away from legacy-polishing projects that others in his party have struggled to defend has Democrats feeling increasingly optimistic about their midterm opportunities.
“He’s focused on a revenge tour, not at all on the struggles of American families, and every day they see him focusing on ballrooms or reflecting pools, slush funds, golf courses,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, who is leading the Democratic campaign effort. “They ignored the needs of the American people.”
Reacting to Massie’s loss on Wednesday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said all members should remember “they’re here to represent the people who sent you” and called Cassidy’s loss another important lesson.
“Just like Louisiana Saturday, it shows that voters have the final say on whether we stay or return, and if you break the trust of your voters, they will send you home,” he said.
Fitzpatrick said much the same.
“Every bill that comes to term is either a net positive or a net negative for your district,” he said. “They are your bosses. … I know my constituents, and I’m sure many other representatives’ constituents would not want taxpayer money going to the ballroom.”
Samuel Benson and Kelsey Brugger contributed to this report.
