John Thune was elected leader of the Senate Republicans. He will have the heavy responsibility of leading this group and dealing with President-elect Donald Trump, who demands unwavering loyalty from his troops.
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The Republican Party retained its majority in the House of Representatives following the legislative elections, a victory announced by the American media on Wednesday, which will ensure Donald Trump comfortable control of the levers of power for his return to Washington.
The 78-year-old billionaire and the conservative camp thus achieved a trifecta with the presidency and the two Houses of Congress, which reinforces the resounding political comeback of the former Republican president.
According to projections from CNN and NBC News, the Republicans have obtained at least 218 seats, out of the 435 at stake, and maintain their majority in the House of Representatives, after having already wrested the Senate from the Democrats in the elections last week.
People want ‘America First’
“It was a decisive victory across the nation. People want to see us implement and apply our slogan “America First,” greeted Republican Representative Mike Johnson, who should, barring any major surprises, continue to preside over the House.
In the Senate, the Republicans designated John Thune as leader on Wednesday. The South Dakota elected official said he was “extremely honored” to have been chosen. In a secret ballot, the senator, from a rather traditional Republican line, notably beat Rick Scott, the candidate who was supported by the Trump galaxy.
The election of John Thune marks the end of the era of Republican tenor Mitch McConnell, in this position for seventeen years, who maintained stormy relations with Donald Trump.
“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s program and our work begins today,” he assured in a press release, before receiving congratulations from Elon Musk, who nevertheless supported his rival.
In this position, John Thune will be responsible for leading the Republicans, with their new majority in the Senate after the November legislative elections. He will also have to deal with Donald Trump, who demands absolute loyalty from his troops.
The majority everywhere
Controlling Congress will make it easier for the 45e and future 47e president, who promised to implement radical measures, between mass expulsions of migrants, tax cuts and deregulation.
But Donald Trump has also demonstrated his desire to bypass the laborious confirmation processes by senators of the people he plans to appoint to key positions.
To do this, he plans to use a clause that allows the president to make temporary appointments when the Senate is not in session.
The Republican is also on track to win the popular vote against Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris with 50.2% of the vote according to NBC News, based on a count still underway. Each of the seven key states that were likely to swing in the election also fell into his hands.
Everything you need to know about the American presidential election
The 2024 American presidential election took place on November 5, 2024. To everyone’s surprise, the result was not close and Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday morning (Swiss time) a “political victory never seen before in our country”. To find out everything about this election and its consequences, click here.
(afp)
