This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
Published on December 22, 2019, a group of former Republican officials and strategists have spoken out about the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the Republican Party.
According to former Representative Carlos Curbelo, a Republican from Florida, the greatest fear any member of Congress has is losing a primary. This fear is the primary motivator for many lawmakers, who are often forced to prioritize loyalty to Trump over their own policy preferences.
Trump's personal approach to politics has created a culture of fear and loyalty within the Republican Party. Those who show loyalty to the president are rewarded with favorable tweets and presidential visits, while those who dissent are punished.
Former Representative Carlos Curbelo, who lost his general election in 2018, recalled an incident where Trump took notice of his criticism of the president's immigration policy. Trump asked Curbelo if the people lining the streets to show their support for him were in his district, and then turned to others in the car and said,
