Why Trump changes his tune after aides convince him to stick to a script as Republicans defect
Trump Faces Rare Republican Rebellion Over Iran War Powers, Funding for January 6 Defendants
The Trump administration encountered an unusual display of bipartisan resistance this week, as House Republicans joined Democrats in a narrow vote challenging the president's authority over the Iran conflict, while a separate controversy over funding for individuals convicted in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack exposed fissures within the GOP.
The House voted 215 to 208 on Wednesday to invoke the War Powers Act, a measure that would force an end to U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict. Four Republican members broke with their party to support the resolution: Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Tom Barrett.
In response, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce the legislation as "meaningless" and launch sharp attacks against the dissenting Republicans, calling them "GRANDSTANDERS" who should be ashamed of themselves. The president characterized the vote as an attempt by Democrats to undermine his negotiating position, accusing them of suffering from what he termed "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
"They know where the negotiations stand," Trump wrote. "The Democrats are fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome. They would rather have our Country fail than give me another, of many, victories."
Even if the Senate were to approve the measure, Trump retains the ability to veto it. Legal questions remain about whether Congress can successfully constrain the commander-in-chief, given that presidents across party lines have historically conducted undeclared military operations.
A second, more pointed rebellion emerged over a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate individuals affected by what the administration described as government weaponization—including many involved in the January 6 Capitol breach. The proposal struck a sensitive nerve among lawmakers who experienced the violence of that day.
Facing mounting opposition from members of both parties, the administration appeared to abandon the initiative. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly declared the fund was dead. However, the president's commitment to the idea proved short-lived.
During a subsequent interaction with reporters, Trump diverged sharply from his attorney's statement, launching an extended personal attack against CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins after she questioned the apparent reversal. The president described individuals connected to January 6 as "great American people" who had been "victimized," noting that many had experienced financial ruin and suicide. He accused prosecutors and judges of bias and characterized the judicial system as having been weaponized against his supporters.
"I love it," Trump said, defending the fund's intent. "They were put in jail for long periods of time. They were accused of things that never happened."
When pressed on whether the fund was definitively cancelled, Trump offered an ambiguous response: "I'd have to ask the lawyers."
The exchange deteriorated further when Trump turned to Collins directly, describing her as corrupt and stating he had never seen her smile. "She has hatred because we have borders, because we have a strong military, because we cut our taxes," he said.
CNN responded with a statement praising Collins as "an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity."
The Senate attempted Thursday to formally prohibit any revival of the controversial fund, but fell one vote short of passage. Leadership kept the vote open for hours while counting potential support, preserving the option to try again.
The developments suggest Trump's once ironclad control over congressional Republicans has begun to fray. After roughly 16 months of largely unfettered support from GOP lawmakers, the fund controversy prompted several to recognize they could take independent stands—and survive politically. That realization appears to be spreading through the conference.
Republican strategists note that independent voters and disillusioned Republicans represent the decisive voting bloc in upcoming midterm contests. Establishing distance from the president's most contentious positions may prove tactically advantageous heading into those elections.
Whether this represents a lasting shift in the Republican Party's relationship with its standard-bearer remains uncertain, particularly given the president's history of pivoting between positions and lashing out at those who cross him.
