Several cracks have emerged in President Donald Trump’s grip over the Republican Party in recent days, with lawmakers, and voters alike expressing dissent, and even forcing the administration into retreat.
From Congress rebuking his war strategy, to primary voters rejecting his chosen candidate, and backlash apparently forcing the rollback of a Department of Justice plan (DOJ), the developments point to rare but notable resistance within the GOP as the 2026 midterms approach.
Taken together, the episodes seem to underscore growing unease among some Republicans over Trump’s leadership—particularly on foreign policy and the limits of executive power—even as most of the party remains publicly aligned with him.
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email outside of normal business hours.
House Republicans Break Ranks on Iran War Powers
Four House Republicans broke with Trump and party leadership to help pass a resolution aimed at curbing the president’s authority to wage war against Iran without congressional approval.
The measure passed, 215–208, on Wednesday with GOP representatives—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio—joining Democrats.
The resolution directs the administration to remove U.S. forces from hostilities unless Congress authorizes the conflict, marking the first time the House has successfully advanced such a measure during the war.
The vote is largely symbolic and faces an uncertain future, but it represents a significant political rebuke of Trump’s military strategy, which was launched without congressional approval.
The White House pushed back, arguing the resolution lacks legal force as a concurrent measure and questioning its constitutionality. Officials also suggested the vote mostly reflected 18 GOP absences rather than a broader shift in support.
Still, the defection highlighted growing discomfort within Republican ranks over both the legality and political cost of the conflict, particularly as economic pressures and public skepticism mount.
Iowa Voters Reject Trump-Backed Candidate
Trump suffered a separate blow at the ballot box when Iowa Republicans rejected his endorsed candidate in a closely watched gubernatorial primary.
Businessman and farmer Zach Lahn defeated Trump-backed Representative Randy Feenstra by less than a percentage point, marking the first defeat for a Trump-endorsed candidate in a primary race for governor, the Senate or the House in the 2026 midterm cycle.
The upset was widely viewed as a test of Trump’s influence over GOP voters in a deeply conservative state, where his endorsement had been expected to carry decisive weight.
Lahn’s victory was powered in part by support from the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which has clashed with Trump-aligned priorities and tapped into grassroots dissatisfaction with establishment figures
Feenstra conceded, acknowledging the race “wasn’t what I wanted,” while urging unity ahead of the general election.
While Trump’s endorsements have generally been instrumental in GOP primaries this year—see the defeats of Representative Thomas Massie in Kentucky and Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana—the Iowa loss raises questions about the limits of his political machine—especially in races where alternative conservative factions are able to mobilize voters against establishment-backed candidates.
DOJ Scraps Anti-Weaponization Fund After GOP Backlash
In a third sign of internal resistance, the DOJ abandoned plans for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” following legal setbacks and intense backlash from Republicans on Capitol Hill.
The fund, which was intended to compensate individuals who claimed they had been targeted by government “weaponization,” had faced criticism from GOP lawmakers concerned about how payments would be distributed and who might benefit.
After a federal judge temporarily blocked the program, the DOJ said it would comply with the ruling, effectively halting the initiative.
The expanding list of Republican critics had complicated President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda at a critical moment. GOP divisions over the fund had already delayed a major immigration funding package.
Some Republicans had warned the fund could become a political liability for the party heading into the 2026 elections if it is not addressed.
Trump’s own position appeared uncertain, saying he would need to consult lawyers on whether the program was scrapped permanently or could be revived.
Read the full article here
