Rather than jeopardize former President Donald Trump’s hold on the Republican Party, the FBI’s August 8 raid of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence has strengthened his hold.
Trump’s received support from both his allies and his GOP detractors, diminishing the opportunity for an opponent to run to the right of the former President.
Even Trump’s most prolific contenders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence have come out in support of the former President against the FBI.
There may still be legal ramifications on the horizon for Trump that could leave voters questioning his prospects in an upcoming general election.
In the short term, however, Trump’s allies have expressed their optimism that the FBI’s search — and subsequent outrage — has confirmed the former President would be the GOP’s nominee in 2024.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) explained that the raid has established Trump as a martyr.
“On the Republican side, with the exception of never-Trumpers… virtually everybody else assumes the FBI is corrupt. They assume the Jan. 6 committee is a fake committee covered by fake news, and they presume there is an effort to martyr Trump,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich’s comments were echoed by Republican consultant John Thomas, who explained that the bureau’s raid of Trump’s South Florida home “has recharged the Republican base and turned Trump into a victim, all but assuring that if Trump runs it will be more of a coronation rather than a primary election.”
