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An official from the National Rifle Association (NRA) stated in a recent letter that Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The letter emphasized the need for the NRA to regain trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
According to a high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association, President-elect Donald J. Trump has expressed a lack of confidence in the organization. The official urged fellow board members in a recent letter to reorganize the N.R.A. in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
At a recent board meeting, Bill Bachenberg, who is the group’s first vice president and a supporter of Trump, mentioned that Trump was disappointed that the NRA did not do more to support him during the election. Bachenberg also shared that Trump was surprised to learn that the NRA was paying a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, millions of dollars annually, despite Brewer’s history of donating to Democratic politicians. This conversation took place at the NRA’s annual conference in May.
Last week, Mr. Bachenberg and Mark Vaughan, the second vice president of the N.R.A. board, co-signed a letter stating that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer trust the N.R.A. They expressed the need to regain their trust, as well as that of the organization’s members and donors. Mr. Bachenberg mentioned that he frequently communicates with them.
When asked for a response, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, gave a general statement. She said that President Trump supports the idea that all Americans have a natural right to protect themselves and their loved ones, and he will support gun owners who follow the law.
The recent letter indicates that the N.R.A.’s political influence has decreased. Despite being a powerful lobbying group in the past, the organization has faced challenges due to scandals and corruption accusations. There is a split within the group between supporters of former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that seeks to distance themselves from LaPierre’s controversial actions.
Doug Hamlin, the new CEO of the N.R.A., mentioned in a statement that due to the organization’s significant expenses in defending itself against a lawsuit from Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, they will need to focus their efforts strategically in the upcoming 2024 election.
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