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An official from the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) stated in a recent letter that President Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The letter emphasized the need for the N.R.A. to regain trust with Trump and his closest advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim.
A high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association mentioned in a letter to board members that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official emphasized the need for the N.R.A. to 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, shared with other board members that Trump was disappointed during the recent election when the NRA did not pledge more support to help him win. 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 a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, who has historically supported Democratic political donations.
Mr. Bachenberg stated in a recent letter, co-signed by Mark Vaughan, that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. He mentioned that he frequently communicates with them and emphasized the need to regain trust with them, as well as with the organization’s members and donors.
When asked for her opinion, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, responded by stating that President Trump supports the idea that all Americans have the right to protect themselves and their families, and he will stand up for gun owners who follow the law.
The recent letter indicates that the N.R.A.’s political power has decreased significantly. Previously a powerful lobbying group in Washington, the N.R.A. has faced challenges due to scandals and allegations of corruption. The organization is now split between supporters of former CEO Wayne LaPierre and a faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that seeks to distance itself from LaPierre’s controversial past.
Doug Hamlin, the recently appointed CEO of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.), mentioned in a statement that due to the organization’s significant spending to protect itself in a legal case initiated by 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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