Transition to the presidency
Transition of power
Transition of power
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A vice president of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) stated in a letter that Donald J. Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The N.R.A. official emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
A senior 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 reorganize in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
Bill Bachenberg, the group’s first vice president and a strong supporter of Trump, informed other board members that Trump was disappointed during the recent election because the NRA didn’t do more to support his campaign. Bachenberg also mentioned that Trump was surprised to learn at the group’s annual conference in May that the NRA was paying millions of dollars annually to lawyer William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated more to Democratic candidates.
Mr. Bachenberg stated in a letter last week, along with N.R.A. board’s second vice president Mark Vaughan, 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 emphasized the need to regain their trust, as well as the trust of the organization’s members and donors.
When asked for a comment, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, gave a general response stating that President Trump believes all Americans have the inherent right to protect themselves and their loved ones. She also added that he will support and protect gun owners who follow the law.
The recent letter indicates that the N.R.A. is no longer as powerful in politics as it used to be. It has faced scandals and accusations of corruption, leading to a decline in its influence in Washington. The organization is now split between those loyal to its former leader Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that seeks to move away from LaPierre’s controversial past.
Doug Hamlin, the newly appointed 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 be more strategic in their approach to the 2024 election.
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