With Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., both explicitly pitting themselves against President Trump this fall, it’s tempting for observers to ask whether the Republican Party belongs to the president or his intraparty detractors.
Is the conflict between those who support Trump and those who support Flake and Corker? That’s certainly one fight, but when it comes to Trump, Republican loyalties are split in more directions than just those.
This fight, happening in the fall of Trump’s first year in office, is a single battle in a long war. Note both Corker and Flake’s defections were fueled in large part by daunting re-election battles. Only when emboldened by the prospect of leaving were they comfortable airing these pointed grievances.
One day, Trump will be on his way out of the White House, and more than likely, out of Washington. Until then, many divisions — over trade, over immigration, over style — will simmer, bubbling to the surface on occasions such as these. But a lot can change fast these days (just ask Corker), and even more will change with much time.
It seems unlikely that we’ll know whether Trump’s takeover is permanent until after the next Republican presidential primary, when we know who the party and its grassroots choose to succeed him.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
