He has come back to Capitol Hill.
On Thursday, Donald Trump made his first visit to Capitol Hill since before the Jan. 6 attack, receiving a warm reception from Republicans as they rally behind him as their presumptive nominee for the 2024 election.
Less than five months ahead of his anticipated rematch with President Biden, Trump held closed-door meetings with House Republicans near the Capitol and later with GOP senators. The gatherings focused on campaign strategy and legislative priorities for 2025.
“It was like a pep rally for President Trump,” remarked Rep. Matt Gaetz, a staunch Trump supporter, following the House GOP meeting.
During the session, Trump emphasized the importance of unity among Republicans to defeat Democrats in the upcoming November elections. He offered support to members facing tough races and urged against internal party divisions.
Sources from the meeting revealed that Trump playfully encouraged Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to maintain good relations with Speaker Mike Johnson, eliciting laughter from those present. Trump’s speech covered a range of topics including border security, China, and his opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
After news broke of the Supreme Court decision on the abortion pill mifepristone, Trump addressed the issue of abortion rights, stressing that the party needs to handle the topic carefully. He acknowledged the divisive nature of the issue and expressed support for state-level decisions with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and maternal health.
“We’re the party of common sense,” Trump asserted regarding the party’s stance on key issues, although he did not directly mention the Supreme Court ruling during his remarks.
Trump also criticized Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held in July, calling it “horrible” and citing concerns over crime.
Outside the Capitol Hill Club, where Trump met with Republicans, a small group of protesters displayed signs criticizing him for the Jan. 6 events. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee deployed a mobile billboard trailing Trump, highlighting footage from the Capitol attack.
Trump’s visit underscored Republican enthusiasm for his leadership ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested election season.
