Inside the early GOP reckoning after historic defeat
Stephen Miller's rise to chief of staff exacerbated GOP fears that there will be no party-wide reckoning after their midterm wipeout.
In the aftermath of the historic midterm defeat, Republicans grapple with President Donald Trump's continued dominance and confrontational approach. Stephen Miller, a hard-line loyalist, was named Trump's chief of staff, further fueling frustration within the party. Some Republicans, like Rep. Marlin Stutzman, called for self-reflection and accountability, while others expressed skepticism about breaking with the president due to his control over party primaries.
The Iran war and rising costs were cited as reasons for the party's electoral losses, with Vice President JD Vance emphasizing the need for a "reset" in GOP strategy. While some Republicans voiced discontent, none publicly challenged Trump, fearing the loss of their leverage in the 2028 primaries. The White House remained supportive of Miller and key officials, leaving Republicans to navigate the complex political landscape with cautious optimism.
Written by urgent.news from POLITICO's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
