Marjorie Taylor Greene’s shocking resignation is significant not merely because it was a public, detailed break with Donald Trump and his politics. It also highlighted something that has mostly been whispered in right-wing conversations over the 12 months since Trump’s reelection: What happens once Trump is gone?
Greene’s announcement spurred a flurry of agreement from other Capitol Hill Republicans. Speaking anonymously — a very important caveat — they told reporters from Punchbowl News that Greene’s depiction of a neutered legislature was accurate and as frustrating as she suggested.
The urgency of this tension will only increase. Every second that ticks by brings the right closer to having to figure out what its post-Trump future looks like. Every second is another one in which Trump’s current allies and critics will be looking for ways to slice off a bit of the power and attention he controls for themselves and for their priorities. Every second, centers of power are being reinforced and eroded in hopes of being the agreed-upon future of the party — or of being the most powerful combatant in a ferocious battle. And I’d say there are now six post-Trump coalitions to consider.
This is a preview of Philip Bump's latest column. Read the full column here.
|
