Staff Reports
Just two House Republicans remain who had the audacity to vote against their beloved former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Now, with Trump facing new charges related to the riot and his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, these representatives may have a tough time in the upcoming 2024 election.
Donald Trump indicted: What Jan. 6 indictment means for two remaining Republicans who voted to impeach former president https://t.co/NqM58fRAMp
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 2, 2023
A federal grand jury has recently indicted Trump for his alleged involvement in the 2021 riot and his scheming to interfere with the results of the 2020 election. The charges against him include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. It seems like the consequences for Trump’s actions just keep piling up.
The new indictment has the potential to reignite the fervor surrounding the 2020 presidential election, the Capitol breach, and the fallout from both. It’s like the never-ending nightmare that just won’t go away for these Republican representatives who dared to hold Trump accountable.
After the events of January 6, 2021, only 10 House Republicans had the guts to vote in favor of impeaching Trump for “incitement of insurrection.” This brave group included Reps. Liz Cheney, Tom Rice, Dan Newhouse, Adam Kinzinger, Anthony Gonzalez, Fred Upton, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Peter Meijer, John Katko, and David Valadao. Most of these representatives wisely chose not to seek reelection in 2022, with those who did face strong opposition from pro-Trump candidates. Only Newhouse and Valadao managed to survive those primary challenges and secure reelected. Talk about sticking your necks out!
Despite Trump no longer holding office, the aftermath of his actions following the 2020 election and the discovery of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate have continued to dominate the political landscape. And now, his ambitious plan to run for president again in 2024 only solidifies his enduring influence on the Republican Party. It’s as if there’s no escaping the shadow of Trump.
Newhouse may have won his last election with ease, but he’s not out of the woods yet. In the upcoming 2024 primary, he will face a challenge from Jerrod Sessler, one of his fellow Republicans who claims to have been in Washington, D.C., on the infamous day of January 6. Sessler has been campaigning against Newhouse, calling him too quiet and too proud to admit his mistake. He’s capitalizing on the impeachment vote that cost Newhouse the trust of the people of Central Washington. It’s going to be quite the showdown!
Valadao’s situation isn’t much better. While he managed a narrow victory over his Democratic opponent in 2022, his district in California is fiercely competitive between Democrats and Republicans. This time around, he faces the same Democratic challenger, Rudy Salas, who portrays himself as a centrist Democrat and plays up his support for law enforcement. Salas aims to win over voters by distancing himself from the more extreme elements of his party. Valadao better be prepared for a real fight.
According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll from January, approval for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has actually increased since 2021. Can you believe it? Disapproval rates have fallen, and more people are coming around to the idea that maybe Trump wasn’t so bad after all. It’s shocking how opinions can change over time. Not everyone is clinging to the narrative that the riot was the worst thing to ever happen in history. Maybe some Republicans are starting to see the light and realize that Trump wasn’t all to blame.
In conclusion, it seems like Newhouse and Valadao may face an uphill battle in the 2024 primary. They risk being swept away by the larger tide of public opinion that’s turning in favor of Trump. Let’s hope these brave representatives can find a way to weather the storm and come out on top. After all, it’s not easy swimming against the current in the Republican Party these days.
