Senator Lindsey Graham said he will ask former President Donald Trump to give his political weight to the Republicans’ quest to retake the House and Senate in 2022.
The South Carolina lawmaker said that after the impeachment process, he would meet with Trump to try to persuade him that the former president is the key to the Republican Party’s future electoral chances.
“I will try to convince you that we cannot get there without you, but you cannot keep the Trump movement without the GOP together,” he told reporters, according to Political.
“If we go back in 2022, then it is an affirmation of its policies. But if we lose again in 2022, the narrative will continue that not only did you lose the White House, but the Republican Party is in a bad situation, “he added.
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Graham gave his opinion on the central role that Trump would play while the upper house of Congress is expected to absolve Trump from inciting his supporters to invade the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
While the Senate vote is likely to fall short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump, the former president’s second impeachment trial created a split within the Republican Party between party leaders and other members who dispute how much Trump influence to retain.
Trump said he wants to remain a key player in Republican politics and threatened Republicans who did not support him, signaling the control he still has on the Republican base.
It was reported that a group of Republicans from previous Republican administrations discussed the creation of a new anti-Trump center-right party.
The Integrity Party and the Center-Right Party are names considered, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, it is speculated that Trump himself could create his own political party, which polls have suggested he would get the support of many Republicans, although the Trump team has said he has no ties to a “patriot party” that was formed .
However, Senator Graham suggested that Trump would be more effective for the Republican Party if its party divisions were resolved.
“Trump has to work with everyone,” he said, “you have to put your best team on the field.
“If it’s about revenge and chasing people you don’t like, we’re going to have a problem. If it comes to putting your best team on the pitch, we have a good chance of coming back.” Newsweek contacted Trump’s office for comment.