Senate Majority Leader John Thune — and most of the GOP conference — was reeling Tuesday from President Trump's snap endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas GOP Senate runoff.
Why it matters: Thune (R-S.D.) called it Trump's "decision." But it's Thune's problem to pass Trump's agenda, with a trio of senators the president can no longer hurt.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has been unbowed since announci...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights Trump's continued influence over the GOP, even as his tactics create internal fractures. His endorsement of Paxton—despite ethical concerns—demonstrates his prioritization of loyalty over traditional party alliances. The backlash from senators like Collins and Murkowski underscores a growing rift between Trump's base and establishment Republicans, who are increasingly willing to challenge his authority. The financial and strategic costs of these...