Republicans Worry That White House Disarray Is Undermining Trump – New York Times
But Mr. Hayes said that while a strong majority of Republican voters adored Mr. Trump, there are creeping doubts about other administration advisers. Mr. Hayes said that Mr. Scaramuccis interview with The New Yorker magazine, in which he savaged several White House colleagues in sexually graphic terms, had shocked Republicans in his state.
How does that help us get health care and tax reform and rebuilding the military? Mr. Hayes said.
Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who has been critical of Mr. Trump, echoed that sentiment, saying meaningful policies will emerge from the White House only when the chaos in the administration abates. He said he was uncertain whether the shake-up of the senior staff would have that effect.
Youll have optimism within the White House when they start having stability, Mr. Kasich said.
Among the presidents legislative allies in Washington, too, there is a deepening sense of dread that presidential tweets like the out-of-the-blue ban on transgender people serving in the military and continuing chaos inside the West Wing will get in the way of efforts to lower taxes, crack down on immigration, overhaul trade policies and rethink the countrys foreign policy.
The administration is having a hard time getting out of its own way, said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which was angry about the presidents criticism of Mr. Sessions. The seeming disarray in the White House obviously makes it hard for the administration to carry out its policies.
Joseph A. Trillo, a former Republican National Committee member from Rhode Island who was chairman of Mr. Trumps campaign in the state, faulted others for the White House disarray and chalked up any missteps to Mr. Trumps newcomer status in Washington.
Hes made some mistakes, Mr. Trillo said of Mr. Trump. He didnt have political experience, and I think some of the biggest mistakes are some of the people he has surrounded himself with.
The turbulent phase appears to have taken its toll on Mr. Trumps popularity, even among those in his own party. Though Republicans are strongly supportive of him over all, public polls have shown dissatisfaction on the right with his personal demeanor and Twitter habits. On Friday, a Gallup tracking poll found Mr. Trumps job approval rating was 39 percent.
Inside Washington, the reservations run even deeper. Some veteran Republican lobbyists are increasingly skeptical that the president has built a team capable of making good on his promises. At the end of a week in which the party failed in its promise to repeal former President Barack Obamas health care law, one Washington lobbyist, who did not want to be identified as being critical of the president, said he and others were frustrated, appalled and scared.
The concern, the lobbyist said, is that without sustained White House leadership the kind that is in short order complicated legislation like a tax overhaul or rolling back banking regulations will not be accomplished.
Andrew Roth, the chief lobbyist for the Club for Growth, a group that fiercely advocates lower taxes, expressed optimism that Republicans would succeed, and he said that some of Mr. Trumps economic advisers were working effectively in spite of the chaos.
But Mr. Roth acknowledged that two things could get in the way: Distractions being caused by a White House that is still in a transitional phase and a dysfunctional Republican Party in Congress that includes too many liberals.
It is well past time that people recognize that there are far too many Democrats in the Republican Party, Mr. Roth said.
Republicans are hardly despondent across the board about the seemingly listless pace of change in Washington. In addition to the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, Neil M. Gorsuch, they take heart from the list of business regulations Mr. Trump has voided, and from his administrations aggressive enforcement of immigration laws.
Jay Timmons, the president and chief executive of the National Association of Manufacturers, a powerful business lobby, said he was optimistic Republicans would enact major legislation around taxes, infrastructure investment and more.
Theres a lot going on that has been beneficial to the business community, Mr. Timmons said, acknowledging that there had also been distractions from the partys main agenda. That doesnt mean that progress and success is still not occurring.
Still, Republican activists and party officials described the Senate health care vote, held in the early hours of Friday morning, as a bitter disappointment, and several spoke in caustic language about the three Republican lawmakers who blocked the bill Susan Collins of Maine, John McCain of Arizona and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
The sharpest frustration, however, came from Trump loyalists who described Congress as having failed to accommodate Mr. Trump and his agenda more broadly or even as taking a deliberately oppositional posture toward a president of their own party.
I blame everything on Congress, and most of the people I talk to feel the same way, said Rex Early, an Indiana businessman who led Mr. Trumps campaign in the state. Id like to see him take on Congress, but I think he feels that he has to get along with them, and hes probably right.
Mr. Trump has occasionally berated Republican members of Congress, and on Wednesday rebuked Ms. Murkowski on Twitter for having let the Republicans, and our country, down with her position on health care. On Friday, Mr. Trump stopped short of criticizing the health care holdouts by name, but lamented in a speech on Long Island that the swamp had prevailed over his agenda, for now.
But some of his supporters would like to see Mr. Trump go further, and a number of activists and Republican candidates called on Mr. Trump to take a harder line with members of his own party.
Corey Stewart, a conservative immigration activist in Virginia who nearly captured the partys nomination for governor this year, encouraged Mr. Trump to take the fight more aggressively to intransigent Republicans.
Hes been remarkably patient, said Mr. Stewart, who has announced that he will run for Senate in 2018. I think he needs to play a little bit more rough with the Republican establishment in the House and Senate.
Mr. Stewart, too, said that there were aspects of the presidents conduct that appeared unproductive, like his public feud with Mr. Sessions.
This stuff would be better solved behind closed doors, Mr. Stewart said.
But other supporters said that after six months with Mr. Trump in office, they do not expect a change in his behavior and many do not want one.
Pam Bondi, the attorney general of Florida and a strong Trump supporter, suggested the onus was on Congress to catch up with Mr. Trump. President Trump is ready and waiting for them to act, Ms. Bondi said, referring to the health care issue.
Congress should beware, she added, our president will not give up on doing whats right for the American people.
See the article here:
Republicans Worry That White House Disarray Is Undermining Trump - New York Times
- The issues that are causing Republicans to break with Trump - MS NOW - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Megabill 2.0? These House Republicans have some ideas. - Politico - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- The Republicans Breaking Ranks With Trump Over Powell Investigation: We Dont Need It - Time Magazine - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Republicans vow to hold Bill Clinton in contempt as he skips Epstein testimony - BBC - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Trump and the Republicans Struggle to Stay on Economic Message - Bloomberg.com - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Republicans Punt on a DHS Funding Fight with Democrats After Minnesota ICE Shooting - NOTUS News of the United States - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Missouri Republicans Admit They Skewed Ballot Language to Protect a Rigged Map - Independent Voter News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Kentucky Republicans push to eliminate income tax as Democrats propose taxing the wealthy - WDRB - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Clintons refuse to testify in Epstein investigation, Republicans seek to hold them in contempt - localnewslive.com - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Republicans are speaking out on behalf of the Fed. Not Banking Chair Tim Scott. - Politico - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Ohio Democratic U.S. reps joined by three Ohio Republicans to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies - Ohio Capital Journal - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Clintons refuse to testify in House Epstein probe as Republicans threaten contempt proceedings - WTOP - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Republicans Dont Agree on an Affordability Platform Or on How to Pass One - NOTUS News of the United States - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Kansas Republicans frustrated by delay in ban on buying pop and candy with SNAP benefits - KAKE - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- Playing catchup to Republicans, Democrats launch 'largest-ever' partisan national voter registration campaign - Fox News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- House Republicans to hold Bill Clinton in contempt for skipping Epstein deposition - NBC News - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- We need this like a hole in the head: Republicans split over Powell investigation - The Times - January 14th, 2026 [January 14th, 2026]
- How John Thune is trying to save the Senate for Republicans - Politico - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Column | A majority in name only? House Republicans are barely hanging on. - The Washington Post - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Fractures start to show in Trump's GOP as some Republicans push back on Greenland, Venezuela, and health care - Fortune - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- NORQUIST: 17 Republicans Fold, Vote with Democrats to Expand Obamacare - Americans for Tax Reform - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Republicans need Susan Collins to win reelection. Trump keeps going after her. - Politico - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- 17 House Republicans vote with Democrats to extend Obamacare subsidies for 3 years - ABC News - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Over a dozen Republicans break with Trump, back Democratic bill to extend ACA subsidies - Axios - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- These Republicans broke from Trump in rare split over Venezuela war powers - Axios - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- The 5 Republicans who voted against Trump on Venezuela - Politico - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Exclusive | NRCC honcho 'very bullish' Republicans will hold the House in 2026, despite historical headwinds - New York Post - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Van Orden joins 16 other House Republicans to extend ACA subsidies - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Article | Senate Republicans push for year-round E15 in January spending bills - POLITICO Pro - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- House Republicans React To DHS Whistleblower Report, Call For Secretary Lpezs Firing - The BayNet - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- E&E News: Republicans try again to overturn Minnesota mining ban - POLITICO Pro - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Republicans See Defending the ICE Shooting As Good Politics - New York Magazine - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Unsolicited advice to both Republicans and Democrats | SONDERMANN - Colorado Politics - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Call Out Fiscal Irresponsibility Of Gov. Moore Education Spending Plan - The BayNet - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Ohio Republicans Max Miller, Dave Joyce and Mike Carey defy speaker on ACA tax credit extension vote - Cleveland.com - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- The Republicans Breaking Ranks With Trump Over Greenland Threats: This Is Appalling - Time Magazine - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans push back on White House military threat toward Greenland - The Washington Post - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- 9 Republicans back Dem effort to revive Obamacare subsidies - Politico - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans outline priorities for this year's legislative session - Maine Public - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Pallone: Republicans Would Rather Redefine Showerheads Than Lower the Price of Anything - Democrats, Energy and Commerce Committee | (.gov) - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- WATCH: Trump says Republicans need to win midterms or 'I'll get impeached' - PBS - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Trump warns Republicans they have to win midterms or he'll 'get impeached' - abcnews.go.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans silent and Democrats incensed on fifth anniversary of US Capitol attack - The Guardian - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans accidentally protected abortion while trying to kill Obamacare - vox.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- House Republicans move to rebuke Trump on two fronts - Semafor - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- President Trump Meets with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center - C-SPAN - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Gov. Walz to Republicans: Expect me to ride you like youve never been ridden - Minnesota Reformer - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans skeptical Trump will use military action against Greenland - USA Today - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Beshear lays out vision for Kentucky budget. Republicans have their own - The Courier-Journal - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Ohio Republicans created an electricity bill crisis. Is the Supreme Court their exit? - Cleveland.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Trump and House Republicans are meeting to talk about their election year agenda - abcnews.go.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Senate Democrats tried to do this last year. Republicans blocked it. - x.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans Insist Affordability Campaign Won't Be Overshadowed by Trump's Venezuela Push - NOTUS News of the United States - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Congressional Republicans are running out of powers to give Trump - CNN - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Tim Walz Isnt Running for Reelection. That Complicates Republicans Plans. - NOTUS News of the United States - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Republicans take voter registration lead from Democrats in crucial swing state for the first time - Fox News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- NH Republicans try again for limits on school discussions, bathrooms - Seacoastonline.com - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump to meet with House Republicans to discuss Venezuela, other topics - NPR - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump and House Republicans are meeting to talk about their election-year agenda - nashuatelegraph.com - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump and House Republicans are meeting to talk about their election year agenda - AP News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- A few Republicans have crypto's destiny in their hands at the SEC, CFTC - CoinDesk - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Even Republicans are challenging Trump's claim that his Venezuela campaign is about drugs - Mother Jones - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump, House Republicans meeting to talk about their election year agenda - The Tribune-Democrat - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Minnesota Republicans say Tim Walz not off the hook after dropping re-election bid - Fox News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump and House Republicans are meeting to talk about their election-year agenda - The Killeen Daily Herald - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Jordan: Republicans Can Keep The House If We Continue To Remind Voters What The Left Actually Stands For - FOX News Radio - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump administration to brief some in Congress as Republicans and Democrats react to Venezuela moves - CBS News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Who thinks Republicans will suffer in the 2026 midterms? Republican members of Congress - Kansas Reflector - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Top Republicans backpedal from Trump claim that US will run Venezuela - The Guardian - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Republicans rally behind Trump's Venezuela strikes. 'Going to face justice.' - USA Today - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- The Situation: What Were House Republicans Thinking? - lawfaremedia.org - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Republicans on Government Oversight call for answers about Milford toddler death - WABI - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Thoughts on the seeming goals of Republicans [letter] - LancasterOnline - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Democrats won 90% of key races in 2025, and Republicans are jumping ship | Column - PennLive.com - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Conservative group: Prominent CT university has no Republicans in 27 departments. Called imbalance - Hartford Courant - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Robinson submits request to restore funding for local projects - Michigan House Republicans - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Republicans want comprehensive oversight of Michigans 2026 election. What does that mean? - Santa Fe New Mexican - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Some Republicans Are Fretting Over Their Partys Ability to Message - NOTUS News of the United States - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- In 2026, Republicans Will Have To Decide What Comes After Trump - Reason Magazine - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Video: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) Says Republicans in Washington dont want to acknowledge Donald Trumps culpability with respect to January 6, But... - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]