Senate Republicans, driven solely by their thirst for victory, are rallying behind Donald Trump, urging the GOP to unite behind him as the inevitable nominee. The party’s moral compass takes a back seat as the twice-impeached, and recently indicted former president strengthens his grip on congressional Republicans.
Public skepticism about the impeachment push against Biden has waned among GOP senators, as Trump’s influence takes precedence over any hopes for an alternative candidate. Calls for an early end to the race intensify, fueled by the failure of potential contenders like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley to pose a credible challenge.
Senator Roger Marshall, one of Trump’s endorsers, dismisses other candidates as mere contenders for second place, accusing them of damaging the party’s reputation and inadvertently aiding Joe Biden. The sentiment echoes across the GOP, with Senator Mike Braun declaring that failure to rally around Trump amounts to tacit support for Biden.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of McConnell’s leadership team, endorsed Trump right before Wednesday’s debate, arguing that Trump’s record as president from 2017-21 is why he’s “dominating” the GOP primaries.
“Now, let’s come together and move forward towards November 2024,” she urged other Republicans in an op-ed for Yellowhammer News, a conservative media outlet.
As Trump’s inevitability as the GOP nominee solidifies, Capitol Hill witnesses a shift in power towards Speaker Mike Johnson, an avid Trump supporter. This shift derails bipartisan efforts to fund the war in Ukraine, with border security, a hallmark Trump issue, taking center stage in congressional debates.
Conservative populists gain influence, reflected in Senate Leader Mitch McConnell’s alignment with Trump-endorsed demands. The stalling of Ukraine funding highlights Trump’s sway, with Brian Darling, a Republican strategist, attributing the shift to Trump’s alignment with the will of the American people.
Despite reservations from some senators, including Mitt Romney, about the long shot of defeating Trump in the primary, the GOP appears resigned to his nomination. Romney acknowledges Trump’s dominance but challenges colleagues pushing for early candidate exits, arguing that primaries strengthen the party.
In this relentless pursuit of victory, Trump’s march to the GOP nomination aligns with growing Republican skepticism towards U.S. support for Ukraine. The prioritization of border security over international engagement reflects a party more concerned with winning than upholding moral principles, as evidenced by the shift in Republicans’ views on assisting Ukraine.
