Transition of power from
Transition of power
Transition of power
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A vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) stated in a recent letter that President Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The NRA official emphasized the importance of regaining trust with Trump and his closest advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
According to a high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association, President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official stated in a letter to members of the board that the N.R.A. must 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 that the NRA had not promised to do more to support his election campaign. Bachenberg also mentioned that during a discussion at the group’s annual conference in May, Trump was surprised to learn that the NRA was giving millions of dollars annually to a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated more to Democratic political candidates.
Mr. Bachenberg stated in a recent letter that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. This sentiment was echoed by Mark Vaughan, the second vice president of the N.R.A. According to Bachenberg, there is a need to regain the trust of President Trump and his team, as well as the members and donors of the organization.
When asked for a comment, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition, responded by stating that President Trump believes all Americans have a natural right to protect themselves and their families. She also mentioned that he will support gun owners who abide by the law.
The recent letter indicates that the N.R.A.’s political power has decreased. Previously a strong lobbying group in Washington, it has been struggling due to various scandals and accusations of corruption. The organization is now split between supporters of its former leader Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, who is looking to move away from LaPierre’s controversial reputation.
Doug Hamlin, the recently appointed CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), explained in a statement that the organization had to adjust its strategy for the 2024 election due to significant financial resources being used in defending against a lawsuit filed by Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York.
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