For many longtime Republicans, the treatment President Donald Trump received from parts of the GOP establishment during his first term was surprising.
Despite advancing many traditionally conservative priorities—including tax cuts, deregulation, expanded energy production, tougher border security, support for law enforcement, and pro-business policies—Trump frequently faced criticism from within his own party.
One notable example was commentator William Kristol and The Weekly Standard, which shut down during Trump’s first term as traditional neoconservative influence declined amid the rise of the MAGA movement. Kristol has since aligned himself more closely with Democrats, highlighting the political shifts that have occurred in recent years.
Many Trump supporters argue that establishment Republicans opposed Trump not because of his policies, but because he was a political outsider who challenged the party’s traditional leadership.
Divisions within the GOP deepened during Trump’s presidency, particularly during his two impeachment proceedings. Now, Trump and several congressional allies are discussing an effort to formally expunge both impeachments from the House record.
Supporters of the move say newly declassified materials related to Trump’s first impeachment raise questions about the credibility of key witnesses and suggest the proceedings were politically motivated.
“It should be done because I did nothing wrong,” Trump told The Wall Street Journal. “It was a rigged deal — it was a whole rigged situation.”
According to reports, lawmakers are not expected to consider the measure until after the November midterm elections.
The proposal is likely to reignite debate over Trump’s presidency and the deep political divisions that continue to shape American politics.
