Just two weeks ago, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, declared Donald Trump guilty of the deadly attack on the US Capitol. On Thursday, he personally came to the ex-president, counting on the help of the latter.
A private meeting of politicians took place at Trump’s villa in Florida, which signals a major change in the status of the former president among Republicans, writes the Associated Press.
The agency notes that more recently it seemed doubtful that Trump would play any role after leaving the White House. But after a wave of condemnation and criticism, Republicans are very friendly to Trump. Moreover, they are ready to punish anyone who shows disloyalty.
After leaving the post of president, Donald Trump hid from prying eyes in his villa, where he talked with lawyers, preparing for impeachment. It seemed that now his position would be unenviable, because Trump had already lost an army of Washington lawyers, the presidential communications service and the office of the White House lawyer. But, to the disappointment of the Democrats, the ex-president feels quite confident.
Even Republicans, who most recently considered impeachment as an opportunity to exclude Trump from the party, are now using the procedure to consolidate their forces, hoping to take control of both houses of Congress as early as the 2022 elections.
As a result, instead of accusing Trump of “inciting violence against the government of the United States,” Republicans opposed impeachment.
“At a time when our country needs to unite, Congressional Democrats are rethinking the same strategy they have used for the past four years: a politically motivated coup that will only divide us more”, – said Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.