The Atlantic
June 4, 2026
Republican Defiance Against Trump: The Cost of Speaking Up
TL;DR
Republican politicians who defy Trump face severe primary challenges and party pressure, but some are beginning to push back, though it remains unclear whether this signals a fundamental shift in Trump's control over the GOP.
Key Takeaways
- 1Trump's endorsement of challengers against Republican incumbents has proven effective, but recent setbacks in South Carolina, Iowa, and Senate votes suggest his grip on the party may be weakening
- 2Republicans who speak out against Trump face intimidation tactics ranging from death threats to massive funding against them in primaries, creating a climate of fear
- 3Indiana State Senator Jim Buck's refusal to support gerrymandering despite overwhelming pressure shows some GOP members prioritize constitutional principles over party loyalty, even at great personal cost
- 4Trump's opponents within the GOP face coordinated retaliation including primary challenges, negative media campaigns, and threats to safety and reputation
- 5The outcome remains ambiguous: normal democratic processes are reasserting themselves in some cases, but Trump retains significant power within the Republican Party and may continue pushing executive boundaries
Notable Quotes
“When your house is on fire, you don't worry about whether or not you're traditionally holding the hose the right way. You do whatever it takes to put out the fire.”
— Unnamed Republican (speaking in favor of mid-decade redistricting)
“They're going to destroy you. They're going to ruin your reputation if you vote no.”
— Colleagues threatening Jim Buck
“If you lose sight of we the people and start paying attention to individuals that outrank you. From my perspective, the end is not going to be very pleasant.”
— Jim Buck
“Win or lose, God's still in control. This is not our office. It's the people's office.”
— Jim Buck
Chapters
1. The Hero Story Gone Wrong
The episode opens with a reflection on the American hero narrative—a lone individual standing against a powerful force—and observes that in recent years, Republicans who speak out against Trump have consistently lost, until very recently.
2. Recent Signs of Republican Pushback
Breaking news examples show Republicans beginning to defy Trump: South Carolina lawmakers rejected his redistricting plan, Trump's Iowa endorsement narrowly lost, and the Justice Department scrapped his anti-weaponization fund after Republican senators blocked it.
3. The Indiana Redistricting Battle
Trump pressured Indiana state senators to approve gerrymandered maps that would add two Republican seats. Conservative senators overwhelmingly rejected it, and many faced primary losses in retaliation.
4. Jim Buck's Resistance and Consequences
Indiana State Senator Jim Buck, a 30-year legislator, votes against redistricting despite calls from the president, vice president, governor, and personal threats from allies. He faces a brutal primary campaign funded by outside groups supporting his Trump-endorsed opponent.
5. The Mechanics of Intimidation
Buck describes literal threats from colleagues stating they would destroy his reputation and hints at knowing where his family lives. Other senators were swatted and feared for their physical safety, illustrating the climate of fear surrounding dissent.
6. The Primary Rout and Unexpected Endorsement
Buck receives an endorsement from Mike Pence, another Trump ally who paid a political price. Buck loses his primary by nearly 30 percent to Trump-backed Tracy Powell in a historic purge of Republican incumbents.
7. Buck's Perspective on Democracy and Loss
Despite losing, Buck frames his loss as a victory for democracy itself, emphasizing that free and open elections are inherently good regardless of outcome. He expresses no regrets about his principled stand.
8. Analysis: Is Trump's Power Waning?
Journalist Russell Bur reflects on whether Republican resistance signals genuine weakening of Trump's control. He concludes it's both realistic and optimistic: normal politics are returning, but Trump remains a dominant party figure with potential to act as an exceptional rather than traditional lame-duck president.
Key People & Entities
- Jim Buck
- Indiana State Senator who voted against gerrymandered redistricting despite Trump pressure and lost his primary race
- Donald Trump
- President who endorsed challengers against Republican incumbents who opposed his agenda, particularly on redistricting
- Russell Bur
- Atlantic staff writer and journalist covering Republican defiance against Trump
- Mike Pence
- Former Vice President who endorsed Jim Buck in his primary, having himself paid a political price for Trump opposition
- Tracy Powell
- Trump-endorsed candidate who defeated Jim Buck in Indiana State Senate primary by nearly 30 percent
- Hana Rosen
- Host of Radio Atlantic episode examining Republican resistance to Trump and the cycles of intimidation
Glossary
- RHINO
- Republican In Name Only; a derogatory term used by Trump to describe Republicans he views as insufficiently loyal or ideologically pure
- Gerrymandering
- The practice of redrawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, often creating oddly shaped districts
- Primary endorsement
- A public statement of support from a prominent political figure intended to boost a candidate's chances in a primary election
- Swatted
- The act of making a false emergency call to send armed police to someone's home, used as a harassment tactic
- Lame duck president
- A president in their final term who has limited power because they cannot run for reelection again