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Written by Steve Cannon for USSA News.
Former President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on popular Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sparked a divide among Republican senators as they defend DeSantis from the former president’s attempt to prevent him from running for the 2024 presidential race.
Trump’s Feud with DeSantis Intensifies, Divides Senate Republican Conference
As the feud between Trump and DeSantis heats up, formal endorsements within the Senate Republican Conference are being made in favor of Trump, indicating that the 2024 Republican presidential primary will be a point of contention among Republican Party lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
DeSantis’s 2024 Presidential Bid: Up to Him to Decide
Republican senators who see Trump as a hindrance to the party’s success in the last year’s midterm elections believe that DeSantis should have the freedom to make his own decision on whether to run for the White House and shouldn’t feel obligated to defer to Trump’s claims of “great act of disloyalty” if he does.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed his support for DeSantis, stating that the governor ran a successful reelection campaign in a significant state and is polling well, adding that the party needs new blood and that DeSantis would be a good fit.
Trump’s Endorsement of DeSantis No Reason to Not Challenge Him
Republican senators also argue that the endorsement from Trump in 2018 that helped DeSantis become governor of Florida shouldn’t prevent him from running against the former president. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming believes that several Republican candidates, including individuals from the former president’s cabinet, may also run for the presidency, making it not an act of disloyalty to run against Trump. She believes that the candidate who best articulates a vision for the country’s future will emerge as the winner of the Republican primary.
Former Officials Weighing Presidential Bids
Members of the former president’s administration who are considering running for the presidency include former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. So far, Trump is the only Republican to officially announce his candidacy for the 2024 election.
Senators’ Views on DeSantis’s Presidential Bid
Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Mike Rounds of South Dakota believe that anyone should be free to run for the presidency, and it’s up to DeSantis to determine if he feels a sense of loyalty to Trump to not run. DeSantis himself responded to the former president’s criticism by highlighting his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida and his successful reelection, reminding reporters that he is elected by the people and that they are the ones who ultimately render judgment on his performance.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota believes that any questions of loyalty between DeSantis and Trump are between the two of them and that anyone who feels called to run for the presidency should be free to do so.
Trump’s Senate Endorsers
However, several senators, including RINO Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, are backing Trump and argue that Republicans should give him more credit for his accomplishments in office and that there are no Trump policies without Donald Trump himself.
Trump’s allies also point out that DeSantis was trailing behind Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam by a significant margin in Florida’s governor primary before Trump’s endorsement helped him win the race.
