The "iron grip" Donald Trump had on the Republican party is starting to slip when he needs their backing most, a political commentator has claimed.
Niall Stanage, writing in The Hill, suggested the president needs to keep a firmer grip on his power base after fielding a series of economic and healthcare woes during his second term. Though Trump has avoided the "rapid seeping away of power" usually found at the start of a second term, it's borrowed time for the president, according to Stanage.
He wrote, "The 47th president has so far avoided the rapid seeping away of power that often occurs even in the early days of a second term. He retains the avid support of a solid base, even as he draws just as much horror as ever from liberals."
"But above all, the sense is solidifying that not even Trump — a one-of-a-kind figure to his fans and detractors alike — is immune to the laws of political gravity after all." Part of the problem for Trump now is in keeping his administration together despite massive blows dealt by defecting Republicans and party in-fighting.
Stanage pointed out the defection of several Republican party members to side with Democrats on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files is a sign Trump is struggling to keep the party in line.
He wrote, "Trump, who usually has an iron grip on his party, was unable to prevent a handful of Republicans from joining Democrats to force the release of the files. Trump ended up declaring support for a measure he and his aides had tried hard to derail."
While Trump could see a complete slip of power in the midterms, Democratic candidates are preparing for a "crystal clear" push to reclaim the House and Congress at next year's elections.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president Heather Williams said, "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally transform legislative power. We are looking at the makings of an environment that looks more like 2010 in reverse."
"When you think about the long term trajectory of Democrats and our success as a party, we need to recognize these moments of power, and these states where Republicans have been competing, and we need to show up for voters."