Former Republican officials in talks to form the center-right anti-Trump party: report

A contingent of ex-Republican officials is in negotiations to form a political party that would break with ex-supporters. President TrumpDonald TrumpSchoen says the Trump team will be “very well prepared” after criticism that Iowa Republicans seek to cut funds for schools with 1619 Project on the curriculum Capitol protest seen smoking in the imprisoned Rotunda MORE, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

More than 120 people participated in a call on the subject on Friday, including former government officials who worked under the Trump administration, the Reagan administration and the Bush White House, as well as former members of the Republican Party.

Evan McMullin, former chief policy officer for the House Republican Conference, said Reuters that he co-hosted the conference call with former officials who fear that a large faction of the party is unwilling to face Trump.

“Much of the Republican Party is radicalizing and threatening American democracy,” McMullin told Reuters. “The party needs to commit itself again to the truth, the reason and the founding ideals or clearly there must be something new.”

The discussion included talks about candidates and center-right candidates who are Republicans, Democrats or independents.

Reuters reported that officials were dismayed that a significant contingent of Republicans still voted to overturn the election results hours after a pro-Trump crowd invaded the Capitol on January 6. Most Republican senators have said they will not support Trump’s conviction on charges of inciting an insurrection after his second impeachment trial, which is currently underway.

Jason Miller, who now serves as Trump’s spokesman, told Reuters in response to the call: “These losers left the Republican Party when they voted to Joe BidenJoe BidenPostal Service reports profits after increased holiday deliveries Night defense: Pentagon presses to eradicate extremism in the ranks | Chief Admiral condemns extremism after tie, hate speech discovered that Republican Party senators send a clear signal: Trump is being acquitted MORE. “