Trump’s decisive victory last week has intensified his control over the Republican Party, leaving a growing number of dissenting Republicans even more marginalized in Washington.
This development raises questions about the future of the remaining GOP members who have distanced themselves from the president-elect and how they will pass the new political climate that is firmly shaped by Trump. In the upcoming Congress, only a small group of Republicans who have previously opposed Trump will remain.
Trump’s victory raises questions about the future of Republicans who once opposed him
This group includes Senators Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Susan Collins (Maine), Todd Young (Indiana), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), along with House members such as David Valadao (California) and Dan Newhouse (Washington), who were among the few Republicans to vote for Trump’s impeachment in 2021 and managed to secure their reelection.
Some analysts suggest that these Trump critics may still find success in Congress, despite their past disagreements with the president. “Given the narrow majority, both Trump and Republican leadership cannot afford to lose any votes,” said Jason Cabel Roe, a Michigan Republican strategist who once opposed Trump. Roe noted that these lawmakers’ constituents have reaffirmed their support, meaning Trump may have to tread carefully when dealing with them.
Trump’s victory has proven to be a political earthquake. Not only did he secure a second term in the White House, but his influence also helped the GOP gain ground in the Senate, and there is a strong likelihood of the party maintaining control of the House, potentially creating a unified Republican government.
In addition to Trump critics, many of his loyal supporters will continue their work in Congress, including Representatives Matt Gaetz (Florida), Lauren Boebert (Colorado), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), along with Senators Rick Scott (Florida) and Ted Cruz (Texas), all of whom were reelected.
New faces aligned with Trump are also joining the ranks, such as Rep.-elect Brian Jack (Georgia), the former political director of Trump’s campaign, and Rep.-elect Abe Hamadeh (Arizona).
On the other hand, several Trump critics are no longer part of the Republican fold, either losing their reelection bids or choosing to retire. Among them are former Rep. Ken Buck (Colorado) and Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah). Rep. Bob Good (Virginia), who initially endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential race, lost in his primary to Trump-backed candidate John McGuire, further illustrating Trump’s influence within the party.
Despite his past opposition to Trump, Cassidy remains optimistic about working with the incoming administration. “I look forward to collaborating with the Trump administration on policies that benefit both Louisiana and the rest of America,” Cassidy said, adding that he supported Trump’s policies in his first term and hopes to work on shared priorities such as border security and addressing inflation.
Similarly, Senators Murkowski, Collins, and Young expressed their intention to work with Trump’s administration in the wake of his victory, reinforcing their commitment to collaboration despite their differences.
Rep. Newhouse, who faced a Trump-backed challenger in his primary, also indicated a willingness to work with the Trump administration, particularly on issues he had previously collaborated on during Trump’s first term. “I’m confident that I can work with President Trump again, just like I did before,” Newhouse said, downplaying the importance of his impeachment vote in his reelection bid.
Some strategists believe that the Republican critics of Trump will likely keep a low profile moving forward. “They may still disagree with Trump, but they’ll likely keep their dissent quiet,” said Brian Darling, a former aide to Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky). He noted that no Republican will openly oppose Trump, citing the downfall of figures like Liz Cheney, whose career suffered greatly after she criticized Trump.
Trump’s influence within the GOP remains strong, especially given how he has shaped the party’s agenda, with many Republicans aligning with his stance on issues like foreign policy and economic reform. However, not all Trump-endorsed candidates were successful. For instance, Sam Brown, who ran for Senate in Nevada, lost to Sen. Jacky Rosen (Democrat), while Trump-backed Jerrod Sessler failed to unseat Rep. Newhouse in Washington.
The Republican Party has largely embraced Trump’s policies, including his isolationist stance on foreign policy and his economic proposals. For example, there is growing support within the GOP for policies that reduce foreign aid, particularly toward Ukraine, and proposals like Trump’s push to eliminate taxes on tips, which gained traction in states like Nevada, where many workers rely on tips for their income.
Looking ahead to the 2026 election cycle, one major question is whether Senator Collins will face a primary challenge. Brian Walsh, a former strategist for Senator John Cornyn (Texas), suggested that Collins has proven to be a formidable candidate, making it unlikely that someone further to the right could take her seat.
“Trump will only oppose you if you continue to fight him,” Walsh remarked, noting how some of Trump’s early critics eventually found themselves working for him after they stopped opposing him.
Mike Madrid, a prominent Republican strategist who opposes Trump, believes that lawmakers like Murkowski, who have maintained their independent voices, will continue to succeed, particularly in states where voters value independence and representation. “Her independent streak makes her highly effective and appealing as a senator,” Madrid said, underscoring her unique standing within the party.
