Trump's iron grip on Republicans slipping as 'fear' of him diminishes: report

Signs are emerging that some Republican lawmakers may be reasserting independence from President Donald Trump, challenging his dominance over the party and the legislative branch.

Republicans have largely deferred to the president since his return to the White House, but recent pushback on key issues suggests potential cracks in Trump's control of the GOP congressional majority, reported NPR.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) publicly criticized the Pentagon's second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, calling it "a horrible decision" and demanding accountability. This rare rebuke signals a willingness to exercise congressional oversight despite administration pressure.

Other Republicans have voiced dissent on Trump's tariffs, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) warning that Maine's lobstermen, blueberry growers and potato farmers would suffer economic harm and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) cautioning against a "massive crisis" if enhanced health care subsidies expire without congressional action.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) has consistently criticized Trump's approach to Ukraine, contrasting the "velvet glove" treatment of Russian President Vladimir Putin with dismissive behavior toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, several senators rejected Trump's calls to eliminate the filibuster, with Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)'s blunt rejection capturing the sentiment: "You'd have to be smoking wizard weed to vote for that," Kennedy said during the 43-day government shutdown that ended last month.

Most significantly, Trump's reluctance to release Jeffrey Epstein files triggered a rift with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) — a longtime Trump ally — that eventually led her to resign from Congress, accusing the president of calling her a traitor.

Former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake (AZ) attributes this shift to declining Trump approval ratings and Republican electoral losses.

"There was a lot of fear about what he could do to you electorally," Flake said. "That's diminishing."

However, similar predictions of Republican independence followed Jan. 6 and other crises, yet Trump reasserted control. Most vocal Republicans are retiring or represent competitive districts — easier positions for dissent. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) defends the status quo, arguing Congress remains an equal branch despite working as "partners" with the administration.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) recently joked, "I'm not really a Speaker of the House" during an appearance on Katie Miller's podcast, which underscores the institutional dynamic.