Republicans Take Up Trumpâs Fight, Leaving Policymaking Behind
The former presidentâs instincts for red-meat political fights over governing and policymaking have left party leaders in a state of confusion over what they stand for.
Former President Donald J. Trump retains an almost gravitational hold on the Republican Party.Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times
April 9, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON â Republican lawmakers are passing voting restrictions to pacify right-wing activists still gripped by former President Donald J. Trumpâs lie that a largely favorable election was rigged against them. G.O.P. leaders are lashing out in Trumpian fashion at businesses, baseball and the news media to appeal to many of the same conservatives and voters. And debates over the size and scope of government have been overshadowed by the sort of culture war clashes that the tabloid king relished.