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Why Some Republicans in Congress Are Still Holding Out On Trump

Only 18 congressional Republicans haven’t endorsed the former president.

Former President Donald Trump pointing
Not endorsing Trump is a real risk for Republicans, who could find themselves primaried. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Donald Trump is now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and the vast majority of his party has fallen in line behind him. The few in Congress who haven’t have their reasons.

“Part of it is that I want to be able to tell my kids and my grandkids that I stood on my principles,” Sen. Mike Rounds told NOTUS.

Between both chambers of Congress, only 18 Republicans remain who openly refuse to endorse Trump. That’s becoming a more difficult position to have, even for the most ardent detractors. As just one example, see Rep. Chip Roy, who had endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign and once said members of his party were backing Trump “out of fear.”