Before the start of the new Congress, Representative Chip Roy, who had been hesitant to support Speaker Mike Johnson’s re-election, received a direct phone call from President-elect Donald J. Trump.
During the call, Mr. Trump made it clear to Mr. Roy, a staunch conservative from Texas, that he would ease off on the negative online comments and threats of primary challenges if Mr. Roy aligned himself with Mr. Johnson and supported the Trump agenda.
Ultimately, Mr. Roy voted for Mr. Johnson, preventing a contentious leadership battle just before Mr. Trump assumed office. Since then, Mr. Roy has been backing Mr. Trump’s policies, and in return, the president has ceased his public attacks on him.
Mr. Roy played a key role in assembling a group of fiscal conservatives to meet with Mr. Trump at the White House to discuss a temporary spending bill necessary to avoid a government shutdown. He advocated strongly for the group to support the plan, despite their usual opposition to such measures.
Mr. Roy’s shift in allegiance illustrates how Mr. Trump is leveraging his influence over Republican lawmakers to maintain control over Congress at the beginning of his second term. This approach has transformed Congress from an independent branch of government to a compliant body that defers to the executive branch.
Former Representative Patrick McHenry described Mr. Trump’s mastery over the party and noted the Republicans’ understanding of his power.
This shift has expedited changes in Congress, turning it into a more submissive body that aligns closely with the president’s agenda.
The tactics employed by Mr. Trump to influence Republican lawmakers are based on interviews with several individuals familiar with the interactions. These tactics involve a mix of persuasion, socialization, and implied threats to ensure compliance with his demands.
Mr. Trump’s approach focuses on building personal relationships with Republican legislators and making them feel valued and indebted to him through various gestures and interactions.
Mr. Trump’s personalized interactions and incentives have proven effective in securing support from Republican lawmakers for his initiatives. These efforts have helped sway lawmakers who were initially hesitant to support certain policies, ultimately leading to their alignment with Mr. Trump’s agenda.
Lawmakers who initially opposed Mr. Trump’s proposals have often changed their stance after direct communication or interaction with the president. His personalized approach has been instrumental in garnering support from Republicans for key legislative measures.