President Trump in particular is testing pressure points within the GOP with a series of bold moves that have shown that few Republicans are willing to draw the line on some issues.
The farm is held by state Republicans. expressed concern About Trump’s idea of importing beef from Argentina as American cattlemen face economic headwinds.
Meanwhile, New York Republicans reversed the decision Forgiveness Disgraced former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who was serving time in prison for fraud. And others in the president’s party have expressed uneasiness Trump has talked about a massive settlement with his own Justice Department based on previous investigations of his conduct.
Trump and Republicans have been largely united on their messaging around the government shutdown, arguing that any negotiations with Democrats would only happen after the government reopens. The president’s approval ratings have actually increased slightly during the shutdown as it approaches a month.
But at the same time, Trump is putting Republicans, including himself, in an uncomfortable position. bypassing He needs a respectable GOP-majority in Congress to enact most of his agenda.
“This is not the Republican Party, this is the Trump Party,” said Matt Terrill, a GOP strategist and managing partner of Firehouse Strategies.
He said, “You’re seeing some Republicans out there considering it and having views. You’re going to see that. It’s not unusual, but nothing has changed here.” “There’s no change in the fact that this is the party of Trump.”
The biggest break between Trump and generally supportive GOP lawmakers came this week when the president told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was considering importing beef from Argentina.
The idea drew pushback from generally quiet or supportive lawmakers, who argued it would hurt American cattlemen and do nothing to lower prices.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said of Trump’s idea, “This is not the way to do it.” “This has created a lot of uncertainty in the market. So I hope the White House got the message.”
Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) posted on social media that she expressed her “deep concern” to the administration about importing beef from Argentina.
“The bottom line: If the goal is to address beef prices at the grocery store, this is not the way to do it,” Fisher said. “For now, government interference in the beef market will harm our cattlemen.”
Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) also publicly pushed back On Trump’s proposal. and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association caution The government was reducing them.
Trump and the White House appeared unperturbed. Trump posted on social media calling on cattle farmers lower their prices While defending its implementation of the tariffs. Press secretary Carolyn Levitt argued that increasing beef supply would help lower prices, a sign that Trump is not backing away from the idea of importing from Argentina.
While the beef imports represent a major policy disagreement, some Republicans have also pushed back against Trump’s personal and personnel decisions in recent days.
Some GOP senators were uncomfortable with the fact that Trump was reportedly demanding the Justice Department pay them $230 million in compensation in connection with the investigation into his conduct during the previous administration. Trump himself confirmed that he was asking for the money, but said he did not know the exact figure.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is retiring at the end of his term, said Wednesday that the political “optics” of Trump receiving a windfall payment from the Justice Department has created “concerns,” especially during the shutdown when federal employees are working without pay.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) called the arrangement “grossly irregular.”
While GOP senators have mostly expressed respect for Trump’s nominees, confirming controversial picks like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., many Republicans have taken issue with racist comments made by Paul Ingrassia that forced him to withdraw his nomination this week to head the Office of the Special Counsel.
In the House, Trump’s decision to pardon Santos, a former New York Republican congressman convicted of fraud, unsettled some New York Republicans, who are likely to face tough re-election bids in the midterms in swing districts.
“George Santos is a convicted con artist. That will always be his legacy, and I disagree with this change,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said in a statement.
“George Santos didn’t just lie – he stole millions, committed election fraud, and his crimes (for which he pleaded guilty) warrant a sentence of more than three months,” Rep. Nick LaLotta. Posted On X. “He must devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making reparations to those he wronged.”
Republican strategists and Trump allies argued that the breaking point is a reflection of both where lawmakers feel they need to draw the line with the president, and how best to do that.
A source close to the White House said, “If you have a problem with Trump, before you go on TV and talk bad about Trump, go behind closed doors and air your concerns.” “At that point, you can go there, as long as it relates specifically to the crowd you need to get re-elected.”
