Former President Donald Trump recently led a closed-door meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill, where he aired grievances about legal and electoral challenges, attacked critics, and briefly touched on policy matters like abortion and taxes. During the hour-long meeting, Trump criticized detractors and warned Republicans not to shy away from controversial issues.
Trump boasted about the departure of most House Republicans who voted to impeach him and singled out GOP Rep. David Valadao. He also discussed supporting primary opponents and addressed tensions between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The former president's conviction was a significant topic, with House Republicans proposing actions like defunding the Department of Justice and holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Trump referred to the Department of Justice as 'dirty no good bastards' and expressed concerns about the government being weaponized.
Trump also provided guidance on abortion, urging Republicans to follow their convictions and advocating for exceptions in cases like rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He emphasized the need for Republicans to address the issue on the campaign trail effectively.
During the meeting, Trump went off-topic at times, criticizing crime rates in Milwaukee and making remarks about popstar Taylor Swift and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He also joked about Hannibal Lecter and received birthday wishes from House Republicans.
Senate Meeting Shows Unifying Tone
Later, Trump met with Senate Republicans and struck a more unifying tone. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell described the meeting as positive, with Trump praising McConnell's efforts to elect more GOP senators. Trump emphasized unity within the GOP and expressed support for Republican lawmakers in their races.
Senators like Marco Rubio and John Cornyn shared their perspectives on the meeting, highlighting the need for optimism and acknowledging Trump's frustration over recent events.
Overall, Trump's interactions with both House and Senate Republicans showcased a mix of grievances, policy discussions, and efforts to unify the party ahead of upcoming elections.
