A number of Republican lawmakers and candidates are showing signs of breaking with President Trump on certain policies, according to reports from outlets across the political spectrum.
The Hill reports that Republicans in heartland states including Iowa, Michigan and Ohio have called for a quick end to the Iran war, citing high gas and diesel prices and concerns about the political cost heading into upcoming elections.
The Washington Examiner reports that Trump has so far refrained from public criticism of the Republicans breaking with him, a contrast to his past approach of endorsing primary challengers against Republicans he viewed as insufficiently loyal, including Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Thomas Massie.
Left-leaning and right-leaning outlets have both raised the question of whether this trend of Republican dissent will continue as the midterm elections draw closer.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Washington Post examined Republican senators breaking from Trump in noticeable ways.
- NPR raised the question of whether the trend of Republican lawmakers breaking with Trump will last.
“Republican senators are starting to break from Trump in noticeable ways” — The Washington Post
Center
- The Hill reported growing GOP dissent in heartland states including Iowa, Michigan and Ohio.
- The Hill linked the dissent to calls for ending the Iran war and concerns over high gas and diesel prices.
- The Hill connected the dissent to Republican worries about paying a political price in upcoming elections.
“Trump faces growing GOP dissent in heartland as policies bite” — The Hill
Right
- RealClearPolitics posed the question of whether Republicans are starting to break with Trump.
- The Washington Examiner reported Trump has waved off the Republican breaks rather than retaliating.
- The Washington Examiner noted Trump previously ousted Republicans deemed disloyal, including Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Thomas Massie.
“Trump waves off Republican breaks as midterm grows closer” — Washington Examiner
Questions readers ask
What is happening with Republican lawmakers and Trump?
A growing number of Republican lawmakers and candidates, including some in Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, are reportedly breaking with President Trump on certain policies, according to reports from The Hill, The Washington Post and NPR.
Why are some Republicans breaking with Trump?
The Hill reports that heartland Republicans have called for a quick end to the Iran war amid high gas and diesel prices, and are concerned about the political cost of unpopular policies in upcoming elections.
How has Trump responded to the Republican dissent?
According to the Washington Examiner, Trump has refrained from public criticism of the Republicans breaking with him, unlike his past practice of backing primary challengers against Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Thomas Massie.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets, including The Washington Post and NPR, examined whether the trend of Republican dissent will continue, while right-leaning outlets, including the Washington Examiner, focused on how Trump himself is responding to the breaks.
What happens next?
Outlets across the spectrum, including The Hill and RealClearPolitics, frame the situation as developing ahead of the midterm elections, with the durability of the Republican dissent still uncertain.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- NPRLeft-leaningWith primaries over, some members of the GOP are breaking with President Trump
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningAnalysis | Republican senators are starting to break from Trump in noticeable ways
- The HillCenterTrump faces growing GOP dissent in heartland as policies bite
- RealClearPoliticsRight-leaning'This Week' Roundtable: Republicans Starting To Break With Trump?
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningTrump waves off Republican breaks as midterm grows closer