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Behind the Curtain: The cost of blind loyalty
Elected Republicans have consistently obeyed President Trump, even when it conflicted with their own judgment. In turn, Trump has grown accustomed to this obedience, demanding more and more from his party. This dynamic has created a crisis as the Republican monopoly on power nears its end. Trump has dominated his party throughout his second term, expecting loyalty from lawmakers he has publicly humiliated. He recently canceled a significant bipartisan housing bill signing to pressure the Senate for a voter ID bill that lacked support. Trump dismissed the housing bill, previously hailed by his own White House, as unimportant. He also attacked Republican senators who voted to limit his war powers against Iran, labeling their actions meaningless. Furthermore, Trump disrupted efforts to renew FISA surveillance powers by demanding the voter ID bill be attached, allowing the authority to lapse instead. He withdrew an intelligence nominee ahead of a confirmation hearing, leaving agencies without a confirmed director. Trump also withheld information on an Iran deal from senators until after its release, leaving them unprepared to defend it. He blindsided senators with an unrelated funding proposal as they worked on immigration legislation, while defending January 6th rioters. Trump is governing with the urgency of a term-limited president, prioritizing executive power over congressional cooperation and midterms. Republican lawmakers face consequences for his maximalist demands, such as potentially eliminating the filibuster. Some Republican senators, whose careers he impacted, are now rebelling against his authority. Senators like Cassidy, Tillis, and Cornyn have publicly opposed Trump's nominees and legislative priorities. Trump's aggressive responses to this dissent may foreshadow his actions as his power diminishes. His presidency could effectively end if Republicans lose control of the Senate after the midterms.