How Trump could start a GOP circular firing squad


As former President Trump rolled out his latest round of political endorsements, one thing was clear: It was time to settle some scores inside the Republican Party.
Trump endorsed Michigan state Rep. Steve Carra's Republican primary challenge against influential longtime "RINO Congressman Fred Upton" (the ex-president's choice of words). "Upton has not done the job that our Country needs, for years has talked about leaving office and not running again, and he voted for Impeachment of the President of the United States on rigged up charges," Trump added. "He doesn't deserve to keep his seat."
Also in Michigan, Trump backed Kristina Karamo's candidacy for secretary of state after her criticism of the 2020 results locally and nationwide. If elected, Karamo, who Trump described as "strong on Crime, including the massive Crime of Election Fraud," would be the top elections official in the state. Trump urged her to "check out the Fake Election results that took place in the city of Detroit."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump had already endorsed Army veteran Sean Parnell for the Republican senatorial nomination in Pennsylvania. But he hadn't yet dismissed the retiring GOP incumbent as "Senator 'Gloomy' Pat Toomey." Trump said Toomey did not understand how the two of them carried the state together in 2016 because the senator is "not the sharpest tool in the shed."
Only one of the statements Trump issued on Tuesday took particular aim at the Democrats, chiding President Biden for his management of Afghanistan and the pandemic. He devoted most of his energy to intraparty fights involving himself personally, raising concerns that a circular firing squad could prevent the GOP from making anticipated gains in next year's midterm elections.
Trump has also yet to lift a finger on behalf of more thoughtful populist candidates like J.D. Vance and Blake Masters, running for Senate seats in Ohio and Arizona, respectively. He has mentioned policy in some of these missives, calling Toomey's views on trade "archaic" and blasting Rep. Liz Cheney as a "warmonger." But for Trump, the political has often been the personal.
Republicans clearly appreciate Trump's attitude. The jury is still out on how on board they are with the full populist program — and whether that, rather than the aforementioned combativeness, is really the Trumpism that could outlive Trump's political career.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
W. James Antle III is the politics editor of the Washington Examiner, the former editor of The American Conservative, and author of Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?.
-
October 5 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include half-truth hucksters, Capitol lockdown, and more
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailout
Talking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
The dark history of myths about immigrants eating swans and pets
In the Spotlight Nigel Farage has mimicked Donald Trump and peddled tropes and rumours that have long been used to ‘dehumanise’ immigrants
-
What would happen if Israel lost America’s support?
Today’s big question Loss of US backing could be a ‘catastrophe’ for Israel
-
Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel and free speech
Talking Point TV host’s cancellation and Trump administration’s threats to media have led to accusations of Maga hypocrisy
-
Denmark’s record-setting arms purchase raises eyebrows and anxiety
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By eschewing American-made munitions for their European counterparts, the Danish government is bracing for Russian antagonism and sending a message to the West