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A high-ranking official from the N.R.A. stated in a recent letter that Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official emphasized the need for the N.R.A. to regain trust with Trump and his closest advisors.
Authored by Danny Hakim
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has reported that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. A high-ranking official within the NRA expressed in a recent letter to board members that they believe the NRA needs to reorganize in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
Bill Bachenberg, who is the first vice president of the group and a strong supporter of Trump, shared with other board members that Trump was disappointed that the N.R.A. had not done more to support him during the election. Bachenberg also mentioned that Trump was surprised to learn that the N.R.A. was paying a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, millions of dollars each year, despite Brewer’s history of donating to Democratic candidates. This conversation took place at the N.R.A.’s annual conference in May.
Last week, Mr. Bachenberg stated in a letter, co-signed by Mark Vaughan, the second vice president of the N.R.A., that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer have confidence in the organization. He mentioned that he frequently communicates with them and emphasized the need to regain trust with them, as well as with N.R.A. members and donors.
When asked for a response, Karoline Leavitt, a representative for the transition between Trump and Vance, gave a general statement. She mentioned that President Trump supports the idea that all Americans have a natural right to defend themselves and their families, 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. It used to be a powerful lobbying group in Washington, but it has been struggling due to scandals and accusations of corruption. There is a divide within the group between those who support the former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that wants to move away from LaPierre’s controversial reputation.
Doug Hamlin, the newly appointed CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), mentioned in a statement that due to the organization’s significant expenditure in defending itself against a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, they will need to adopt a more focused strategy for the 2024 election.
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