Trump trades public attacks for a behind-the-scenes approach to influence Congress
Trump’s friendlier approach to dealing with Republican lawmakers is a stark departure from his first term, when he often took his critics to task on social media.
WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump traveled to visit natural disaster areas in North Carolina and California shortly after his inauguration, his team was concerned about a possible political disaster back in Washington. To defuse it would require a type of political dexterity he hadn’t always displayed during his first term.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., had raised concerns about defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., who had communicated them to the White House. Hegseth couldn’t afford to lose Tillis’ vote, and Trump and his political team knew it.
Walking into an Air Force One cabin filled with members of North Carolina’s GOP congressional delegation, Trump mused, “I hear your man Thom might not be with us,” according to a person who heard the remark. Trump then openly speculated, “Maybe someone will primary him. ... Do we have any takers?”
The threat wrapped in a joke was never deployed publicly. Instead, Trump took a different tack. Before the comment, his political team had set up meetings for Tillis with Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. The behind-the-scenes pressure campaign then culminated with a meeting between Trump and Tillis the day of Hegseth’s confirmation vote.
“We went into overdrive,” said a senior administration official who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. “Tillis just kept shrinking with each passing hour.”
Rating: 5