The Rift at the Heart of the Republican Party
Donald Trump and Mitch McConnel formed a formidable axis during the Trump presidency, but have since been at the core of a rift in the GOP. Souce: AP.
In a statement released by his newly formed PAC, Save America, Former President Donald J. Trump publicly slandered Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, calling him a “ dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack.” The comments came after weeks of tension surrounding Trump’s second impeachment trial.
McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, spent weeks leading up to the Senate impeachment trial saying Trump was guilty of inciting the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6th.
Despite accusations from McConnell that Trump spread misinformation about the election and made remarks that would encourage Trump’s supporters to act irrationally, McConnell ultimately voted to acquit the former President during the trial on February 13th.
Even with the “not guilty” vote from McConnell, Trump still used his new platform to spread election lies, attack McConnell’s leadership within the Senate, and defend his own “successes” in office. McConnell, shortly after voting to acquit Trump, stated that while he believed Trump was guilty, he should not be impeached as a private citizen.
Trump and McConnell have historically had a strong relationship, but their recent arguments have characterized a growing divide in the Republican party. Recently, McConnell condemned Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ardent Trump supporter, stating that her “Loony lies and conspiracy theories are cancer for the Republican Party and our country." The attitude McConnell described as “loony” is the one that Trump brought to the foreground of Republican politics. Trump has publicly backed Green, cementing their alignment in the matrix of American conservatism.
The divide in the Republican party seems to be drawn between the inexperienced, fresh faces who are outspoken with extremist views, and career Republicans, like McConnel, who recently won his eighth consecutive election for Kentucky senator.
Prominent figures in the Republican party have expressed concern over this feud, specifically with how it will impact the 2022 races . South Carolina representative Lindsey Graham is supportive of Trump and thinks his support is necessary to win back the Senate majority. On the other hand, conservative think tank leader and McConnel ally Steven Law said that Trump does not care about the election, only the attention of that may come from it. Other Senators like Liz Cheney and Richard Burr are being censured by the GOP for voting to convict Trump, which could affect the standing of the GOP in their respective states come election time.
Save America, Trump’s new PAC, is already influencing the 2022 election, using the millions of dollars donated by Trump’s supporters in recent months. While Trump can never use the funds directly for his own campaign, he can use it to continue to influence his supporters and the upcoming elections. The former President is reportedly already planning how to hold the congresspeople who voted in favor of his impeachment “accountable.” The new, divided nature of the Republican party may be more detrimental than anticipated, particularly in advance of the crucial 2022 midterms.
The second impeachment trial, in true Trump-term fashion, was fast, using only one month for trials. If Trump was convicted, he would have been barred from running for president again in 2024. Had McConnell voted that Trump was guilty, and pushed more of his colleagues to, he would have rid the party of Trump and the politics the former claims are so damaging. Choosing not to do so could throw a wrench in the future of the Republican party, which Trump made explicit he does not think McConnell is cut out to lead.
Experts say that this is either a mere distraction or a detriment to the possibility of a House or Senate majority in 2022. If the feud continues, establishment Republicans may be more inclined to side with Biden and the Democrats.