Senator John Thune, the number two Republican in the US Senate, has officially endorsed Donald Trump for president, a move that sharply contrasts with his previous strong criticisms of Trump’s conduct. This endorsement comes despite Thune once labeling Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the January 6th Capitol attack as “inexcusable.” The shift highlights the complex and often contradictory dynamics within the Republican party as Trump solidifies his grip on the nomination.
Following the shocking events of January 6, 2021, Senator Thune issued a public statement condemning Trump’s actions. Despite voting to acquit Trump during his impeachment trial, Thune made it clear that his decision was not an exoneration of the former president’s behavior. “What former President Trump did to undermine faith in our election system and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power is inexcusable,” Thune stated unequivocally on February 13, 2021. He emphasized that his acquittal vote was based on the argument that Trump was no longer in office, echoing a similar stance taken by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who also criticized Trump’s actions after voting to acquit.
Image alt text: Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, addressing an audience at a podium, highlighting his role as a prominent figure in the US Senate.
However, the political landscape has shifted dramatically since those condemnatory statements. Trump’s continued dominance within the Republican party, marked by successive primary victories, appears to have influenced Thune’s change of heart. In a recent statement announcing his endorsement, Thune cited the primary results in South Carolina as evidence that Trump would undeniably be the Republican nominee. He framed the upcoming presidential election as a clear choice between Trump and Joe Biden, signaling a pragmatic acceptance of Trump’s position.
Thune stated, “The primary results in South Carolina make clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president… The choice before the American people is crystal clear: it’s Donald Trump or Joe Biden.” He further added, “I support former President Trump’s campaign to win the presidency, and I intend to do everything I can to see that he has a Republican majority in the Senate working with him to restore American strength at home and abroad.”
This endorsement places Thune in line with other senior Republican figures who were once seen as potential successors to McConnell’s leadership but have now aligned themselves with Trump. John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas had already endorsed Trump, leaving Thune as the last of the perceived contenders to publicly back the former president. McConnell himself remains a notable holdout, despite ongoing “back channel” discussions reportedly aimed at securing his endorsement as well. Trump has consistently attacked McConnell, demonstrating the strained relationship between the two Republican leaders.
Trump’s continued success comes despite facing a significant number of criminal charges and civil judgments. These legal challenges have raised questions about his electability among some Republicans, yet his grip on the party base remains firm. The withdrawal of financial support for Nikki Haley by the influential Koch network further underscores the diminishing resistance to Trump’s nomination within the Republican establishment.
Thune’s endorsement, therefore, signifies more than just one senator falling in line. It represents a broader trend within the Republican party – a pragmatic, if perhaps uneasy, acceptance of Donald Trump as its leader. While figures like Thune once voiced strong moral objections to Trump’s actions, the current political realities appear to have overridden those concerns, prioritizing party unity and electoral prospects in the face of a looming general election against Joe Biden. The journey of John Thune, from vocal critic to endorser, encapsulates the evolving narrative of the Republican party in the Trump era.
