Treading Dangerous Waters
A top Republican senator is cautioning Donald Trump against wading into the high-stakes battle to replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader. Oklahoma’s Markwayne Mullin bluntly told the former president that getting involved would be a “lose-lose situation” and advised him to “stay out of the race.”
According to Mullin, the next Senate Republican leader will need to maintain a working relationship with Trump – and vice versa – making the leadership election extremely delicate ground for the brash former president to be inserting himself into. With control of the Senate hanging in the balance in 2024, a bitter leadership feud could prove disastrous.
The Leading Contenders
The frontrunners to take over McConnell’s powerful position include John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, and John Barrasso of Wyoming. Mullin is backing Thune, a longtime friend he respects for his “leadership skills.”
While acknowledging that Thune was once critical of Trump after January 6th, Mullin says he now recognizes the Republican Party must stay united behind Trump as the likely 2024 nominee. Thune recently endorsed Trump for president despite previously doubting his electability.
A United Front Crucial for GOP
Mullin defended his support to Thune despite the past tensions with Trump. He said several senators lashed out at the time, but Thune now grasps that “the party needs to be united.” The Oklahoma lawmaker believes having Trump and the new minority leader feuding could irreparably fracture the GOP heading into a critical presidential election.
Though uncertain if Trump could sink Thune’s candidature, Mullin revealed having “a really good conversation” with the pugnacious former president recently about moving forward together. His overall message: The Republican Party cannot afford an internal civil war and must present a united front to voters in 2024.
