Transition of power from
Transition of power
Transition of power
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A vice president of the NRA wrote a letter stating that Donald J. Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The letter highlights the need for the NRA to regain trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
A high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association stated that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official suggested in a letter to board members that the NRA should regroup in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
Bill Bachenberg, the first vice president of the group and a strong supporter of Trump, informed other board members that Trump was unhappy during the election because the NRA did not pledge to support him more. Bachenberg also mentioned that Trump was surprised at the NRA’s significant annual payments to lawyer William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated to Democratic causes. This conversation took place at the group’s annual conference in May.
Mr. Bachenberg stated in a recent letter that President Trump and his close advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. This sentiment was shared by Mark Vaughan, the second vice president of the N.R.A. They both acknowledge the need to regain trust with the President and his team, as well as with the organization’s members and donors.
In response to a request for a comment, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, gave a general statement. She mentioned that President Trump supports the idea that all Americans have a natural right to defend themselves and their loved ones, and he will stand up for gun owners who follow the law.
The letter shows that the N.R.A.’s political power has decreased. The organization used to be a major lobbying group in Washington, but it has been struggling due to scandals and accusations of corruption. There is a divide within the group between supporters of former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another group, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that wants to distance itself from LaPierre’s controversial past.
The new chief executive of the N.R.A., Doug Hamlin, explained in a statement that due to the organization’s significant spending to protect itself in a legal case brought by Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, they needed to focus their efforts strategically in the upcoming 2024 election.
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