President Donald Trump’s control over congressional Republicans is showing signs of weakening, as lawmakers increasingly vote against him on major issues.
This week, Trump publicly lashed out at five Republican senators who supported a measure limiting his authority to launch further military action in Venezuela, even targeting vulnerable incumbents like Sen. Susan Collins. Similar resistance emerged in the House, where dozens of Republicans broke ranks on votes overriding Trump’s vetoes and extending Obamacare subsidies, a move Trump has opposed.
While most of these votes are symbolic and Trump still wields significant influence, the scale and timing of the defections are notable. Republicans also challenged him on issues ranging from January 6 remembrance to skepticism over Trump’s aggressive foreign policy ideas, including Greenland.
Fear of Trump’s retaliation continues to keep many lawmakers in line, but with narrow GOP majorities and competitive elections ahead, some Republicans appear more willing to defy him — especially on health care and foreign policy.
Though Trump’s threats still matter, the growing number of public rebukes suggests his once iron grip on the GOP is loosening, creating a rare and potentially dangerous shift in party discipline.