As Republicans in Congress celebrate Donald Trump’s second term, they are facing a familiar reality: the president is back to picking fights with them and trying to bend them to his will. From pardoning Jan. 6 offenders to threatening blunt tariffs on allied nations, Trump is showing no qualms about provoking members of his party.
One of the most striking examples of this trend was his broad pardons of people convicted of offenses related to the Capitol riot. While some Republican allies cheered, several senators were openly dismayed to see pardons for even those convicted of violent crimes. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who endorsed Trump’s campaign, expressed his disagreement, saying, “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.”
Not all Republicans were as vocal, however. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, noted that there is no full consensus among Republicans, and therefore, it’s not surprising that some were pleased while others were displeased with Trump’s actions. Cornyn said that while some Republicans agreed with Trump’s moves, others were not pleased and would not seek to defend them.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., went even further, saying that he was expecting a more selective process when it came to pardons and that he would let Trump justify his actions. The controversy surrounding Trump’s pardons and tariff threats has sparked a different level of concern among Republicans, with some feeling that he is not always acting in the best interest of the party. However, for many, the issue now is about finding a way to work with Trump while also standing up for their own beliefs and values.