Former President Donald Trump revved up congressional Republicans and made amends with former opponents in a whirlwind swing through Capitol Hill on Thursday that cemented his position as party leader.
Mr. Trump held what lawmakers described as a “pep rally” for House Republicans, followed by a “warm” and “upbeat” meeting with Senate Republicans.
It was Mr. Trump’s first visit to the U.S. Capitol campus since his angry supporters stormed the building on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bid to block the certification of Joseph R. Biden’s presidential election victory.
Many congressional lawmakers shunned Mr. Trump after his bitter election loss and the riot, but his overwhelming victories in the Republican presidential primaries and his position atop the polls have garnered near-unanimous loyalty again.
By the time he departed Capitol Hill, Republicans had all but banished lingering questions and divisions with the former president.
“That was as much unity as you’re going to get among Republicans that I’ve seen in a long time,” Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana told The Washington Times after the hourlong Senate meeting.
Mr. Trump refrained from leveling barbs at his Republican critics, even Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voted to convict him after his impeachment on charges that he incited the Capitol riot.
Mr. Trump showered praise on Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who sat next to the former president at the closed-door meeting, those who attended said.
The two have not spoken since Dec. 15, 2020, when Mr. Trump attempted to block Mr. Biden’s election victory.
In a floor speech in 2021, Mr. McConnell accused Mr. Trump of unleashing the rioters on the Capitol. Mr. Trump responded by slinging periodic insults at Mr. McConnell and Mr. McConnell’s wife, Elaine L. Chao, who served as Mr. Trump’s transportation secretary.
At one point, Mr. McConnell ruled out Mr. Trump as the Republican leader, but Mr. Trump is now consistently ahead of Mr. Biden in polls, and the party’s entire fortunes rest partly on his success in November.
Mr. McConnell, who will not run for another leadership term, told reporters that the meeting was “entirely positive” and focused on policy.
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Mr. Trump urged lawmakers to endorse his proposal to end federal taxes on tips. He told senators that his agenda would prioritize cuts to inflation and energy costs and securing the southern border, where millions of illegal immigrants have poured in during Mr. Biden’s time in office.
Mr. Trump’s visit mostly promoted party consensus ahead of the November elections, which Republicans hope will result in a sweep of the House, Senate and White House.
“We have great unity. We have great common sense,” Mr. Trump said at a press conference, flanked by a crowd of Republican senators. “A lot of smart people in the room.”
Mr. Trump’s consistent lead in polls, including in the half-dozen battleground states, has helped generate excitement among Republicans in Congress, who hope his popularity will help down-ballot candidates flip the Senate to Republicans and help House Republicans keep their majority.
“Donald Trump is crushing this election,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
He said Mr. Trump “is going to win [and] is going to help us win.”
Democrats, who, along with a handful of Republicans, impeached Mr. Trump over the Capitol riot, heralded his return to the Hill as a threat to democracy.
“With his pledges to be a dictator on day one and seek revenge against his political opponents, Donald Trump comes to Capitol Hill today with the same mission of dismantling our democracy,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat and former speaker, said in a statement. “But make no mistake — Trump has already cemented his legacy of shame in our hallowed halls.”
Mr. Trump said the Republican Party is focused on “making our country great” and winning up and down the ballot in November.
“I’ve had a really great relationship with just about everybody here. Just about all of the senators,” Mr. Trump said. “And if it wasn’t fantastic, it gets worked out.”
• Alex Miller and Kerry Picket contributed to this report.
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.
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