Trump's Personnel Project Fractures as Republicans Protect Their Own
Donald Trump's effort to staff the federal government with loyalists is colliding with Republican officeholders who still answer to their own constituencies. The pattern is consistent: Trump announces a hardliner, the nominee's record alienates a pivotal Republican, and the administration's agenda stalls.
The clearest break came Tuesday when Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced she will oppose Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general. Blanche cleared the Judiciary Committee but now needs at least 50 votes on the Senate floor. CNBC reports that the nominee needs at least 50 votes on the Senate floor to be confirmed after clearing the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In Texas, Senator John Cornyn has reversed himself on the filibuster — again — this time refusing to support a rules change that would let the SAVE America Act pass with a simple majority. Raw Story reports that Cornyn changed his mind on the Senate filibuster once again, having earlier this year broken from his past commitment to protecting the controversial Senate rule by saying he would support changing the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act before retreating.
The rebellion extends to the states. In Minnesota, the Republican Party endorsed Kendall Qualls for governor — a hardliner atop a blue state that has vexed Trump mightily. But Trump himself created the problem they now face, and that problem is named Mike. Daily Kos reports that Minnesota Republicans are now maneuvering to block Trump's pick.
Even incumbent Republicans facing Trump's displeasure are refusing to fold. Ohio Representative Max Miller, facing abuse allegations from his former wife — the daughter of GOP Senator Bernie Moreno — told CNN "I'm never going to back down". MS NOW reports the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into the Ohio Republican on Tuesday over those allegations, putting Miller's fate in the hands of a bipartisan panel.
What connects these episodes is not ideology but institutional self-preservation. Collins protects her Maine brand. Cornyn guards Senate prerogatives. Minnesota Republicans calculate electability. Miller gambles on due process. Each actor decides that their political survival requires distance from Trump's most combustible choices. The former president still commands the base, but his capacity to impose personnel on the party's governing class is eroding — one nomination, one bill, one primary at a time.