President Donald Trump has fulfilled his decade-old vow, leaving Republicans “sick and tired of winning.”
This winning streak, characterized by a series of retaliatory primary challenges aimed at settling long-standing scores, has prompted enthusiastic celebrations among MAGA supporters. They are reveling in their successes in Indiana, Louisiana, and Kentucky.
Trump concluded his campaign of settling old scores on Tuesday, making a significant political move by endorsing Attorney General Ken Paxton for the Senate in Texas. On the same day, he orchestrated the departure of Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky.
However, this pursuit of revenge is increasingly jeopardizing Trump’s midterm agenda in Congress.
For every political opponent Trump has ousted this month, there is evidence of his diminishing influence on Capitol Hill. His focus on past grievances has undermined his legislative goals, turning his primary wins into potential liabilities.
“These so-called victories in recent weeks are illusory and self-defeating,” remarked a senior Senate Republican operative, who spoke anonymously due to frustration with the White House. “We’re not defeating Democrats or advancing legislation. Instead, gas prices have surged by 45% due to our actions and the President’s decision to engage in conflict with Iran. He’s preoccupied with the ballroom and has announced a $1.8 billion restitution fund without any details or congressional approval. It’s bewildering.”
Within one day, a liberated Sen. Bill Cassidy aligned with Democrats to provide the 50th vote on a war powers resolution, opposed Trump’s ballroom funding, and labeled Trump’s chosen candidate, Paxton, a “felon.” This was just the beginning of Cassidy’s newfound independence.
Cassidy is not alone. Trump’s ballroom funding is stalled, the SAVE America Act is stuck in the Senate, and Majority Leader John Thune is resisting Trump’s desire to dismiss the parliamentarian. Additionally, even Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, typically more supportive, has expressed skepticism about the Department of Justice’s $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund.
“There are still many months until the election, and this president must cooperate, negotiate, or contend with this group of lawmakers,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska explained to reporters on Tuesday. “Even though Bill Cassidy lost his primary, he remains a voting member of the Senate until January. So, the president may have inadvertently created opportunities for others.”
Now, Sen. Cornyn could face a similar situation. After Trump’s endorsement of Paxton, the senior Texas senator’s chances of surviving next week’s runoff election have dwindled. Should he lose, Cornyn will be free to vote according to his conscience, unaffected by further political reprisals from Trump, for the remainder of his term.
“What is the return on investment for Trump?” questioned Greg Lamantia, a Texas businessman who supports Cornyn, regarding Trump’s endorsement of Paxton. “I don’t understand why you take this risk instead of doing nothing. Now you’ve created an adversary for six months when you have a slim majority.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Should Paxton lose to state Rep. James Talarico in November, the events of this week, marked by Trump’s triumphs in Indiana and Louisiana, might be remembered as a case of overreach.
“The issues I hear about at home, in the grocery store, and hardware store aren’t the same as those in Washington. It’s crucial to prioritize the concerns of the people,” stated Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo).
The gap between Trump’s priorities and voters’ top concerns is growing. The economy and cost of living remain voters’ primary focus, while patience for the Iran conflict wanes. Despite Trump’s influence in primary races, his endorsements may be more of a hindrance than a help in key races this November, according to analysis from The POLITICO Poll.
“It seems his agenda is primarily driven by vengeance,” commented Jeff Flake, who was a vocal Trump critic for 15 months after deciding not to seek reelection during Trump’s first term. “It’s not just about those he’s targeting like Massie, Cornyn, and Cassidy. It’s anyone who’s past the filing deadline or primary and realizing that supporting much of what he wants isn’t beneficial for the general election.”
As a month that highlighted Trump’s control over his party concludes, his focus on personal vendettas may not have moved the agenda forward for the upcoming November elections.
This situation could present challenges for Republicans, noted Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley to POLITICO. “Congress doesn’t accomplish much,” he said.
“In November, voters will ask Congress, ‘What have you done for me?’ and it won’t suffice to say, ‘Well, we liked some things President Trump did, but we didn’t achieve any of it,'” Hawley emphasized. “We need to get things done.”
What are the implications of Trump prioritizing personal vendettas over his legislative agenda?
“It indicates that President Trump and his team have lost sight of how Washington works and why the American people elected him initially,” said the senior Senate Republican operative.
Last year, chief of staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair she had a “loose agreement that the score settling will end before the first 90 days are over.” That was 395 days ago.
Dasha Burns and Ali Bianco contributed to this report.
