Transition of power from
Transition of power
Transition of power
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A vice president of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) stated in a recent letter that President Donald J. Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The N.R.A. official emphasized the need for the group to regain trust with Trump and his closest advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
A high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association claimed that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer trusts the organization. The official stated in a letter to other board members that the N.R.A. needs to come together and strategize in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
During a board meeting, Bill Bachenberg, the first vice president of the group and a supporter of Trump, mentioned that Trump was disappointed that the NRA did not do more to support his election campaign. Bachenberg also shared that Trump was surprised to learn that the NRA was paying millions of dollars annually to lawyer William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated more to Democratic candidates. This conversation took place at the group’s annual conference in May.
Last week, Mr. Bachenberg stated in a letter co-signed by Mark Vaughan, the N.R.A. board’s second vice president, that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. He mentioned that he regularly communicates with them and acknowledged the need to regain their trust, as well as that of the organization’s members and donors.
When asked for a comment, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, responded with a general statement. She mentioned that President Trump believes that all Americans have a natural right to protect themselves and their families, and he will support gun owners who follow the law.
The recent letter shows that the N.R.A.’s political power has decreased. In the past, the organization was a powerful lobbying group in Washington, but it has been struggling due to scandals and accusations of corruption. There is now a divide within the group between supporters of former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, who wants to move away from LaPierre’s controversial leadership.
Doug Hamlin, the newly appointed CEO of the N.R.A., stated that due to the organization’s significant expenses in a legal battle with 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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