MAGA Allies Pressure Senate Republicans Over Trump’s Nominees
Donald Trump’s MAGA allies are ramping up efforts to purge Senate Republicans they see as insufficiently loyal, as the president-elect moves to cement his influence over Washington. This effort is part of a broader strategy to push through Trump’s contentious Cabinet nominees, including Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Republican Resistance Faces Growing Backlash
Moderate senators like Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are under scrutiny for their potential opposition to Trump’s picks. Others, like Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), are facing significant pressure from MAGA activists. Ernst initially voiced concerns over Hegseth, citing allegations of sexual misconduct and his stance on women in combat, but later pledged her support after intense lobbying.
In Iowa, conservative radio host Steve Deace has hinted at a potential primary challenge to Ernst, while Brenna Bird, Iowa’s attorney general, has penned op-eds backing Trump’s agenda—signaling a coordinated effort to enforce party loyalty.
Impeachment Senators in the Crosshairs
Senators who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 are particular targets. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has drawn a primary challenger in Louisiana state treasurer John Fleming, bolstered by recent changes to the state’s primary system that favor GOP loyalists. With Mitt Romney (R-Utah) retiring, Cassidy, Murkowski, and Collins are the last impeachment voters remaining in the Senate.
The MAGA Playbook: Lessons from the House
Trump’s allies are applying tactics used during the House “impeachment revenge tour,” where eight of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump were either defeated in primaries or retired. The strategy emphasizes anointing strong challengers early to avoid splitting the anti-incumbent vote.
In Texas, Ken Paxton, the state’s embattled attorney general, is rumored to be considering a challenge to Sen. John Cornyn, who has voiced skepticism about Trump’s approach to Senate nominations. Cornyn dismissed the prospect, but MAGA activists remain undeterred.
A More Aggressive Trump Political Machine
Trump’s allies argue that his second term will see less deference to Senate traditions and more focus on enforcing loyalty. Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump adviser, vowed to use every resource to pressure senators into supporting Trump’s nominees.
Senators like Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) caution that such tactics may backfire. “Senators are not slouches,” he said, defending colleagues like Collins, who represent constituencies where Trump remains unpopular.
Challenges Ahead for Trump’s Agenda
Despite the mounting pressure, Trump faces significant hurdles:
- Moderate senators from swing states may prioritize local electorates over MAGA loyalty.
- Allegations against key nominees, including Hegseth, could complicate confirmations.
- Changes to primary systems, as seen in Louisiana, may not guarantee success across the board.
Trump’s allies are determined to reshape the Senate, leveraging the MAGA movement’s organization and funding. As one adviser put it, “Trump is a lot more willing to use his own political power this time.”
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