MAGA legislators signal possible mass resignations, risking GOP majority before midterms. Analysts question if Trump’s usefulness has expired.
The Writing on the Wall
Nearly every politician who was endorsed by Trump for the November 2025 elections in the USA lost. The MAGA‑aligned victories were exceptions to the rule, as disillusioned Republicans cast away their partisanship and voted blue. Is the country blue? Not really. They voted against Trump—and any acolyte in his orbit. Why? Trump’s rhetoric does not match the reality on the ground for everyday Americans.
Although MTG exited Trump’s orbit, she did not change her stance on her ideology. The difference is that she could not take the knives turned against her, although she was the one shanking others outside Trump’s graces with the very same weapons this last decade. MTG finally realized what many non‑MAGA already understood well before 2016. And many of her colleagues seem to be realizing the same.
But before you think this is an all‑altruistic character arc, it is not. Politically, Trump is toasted — he might not know it yet. Historically, Trump and venture failure have gone hand in hand. A non‑all‑inclusive list of examples includes: two bankrupted casinos, Trump University, Trump Vodka, Trump Airlines, Trump Phones, Trump — you insert it — he has done it and often went belly up. He is the only twice‑impeached president, and a third impeachment is not a matter of if but when.
Savvy politicians, strategists, allies, and adversaries understand that if Trump goes down, the entire line of succession for the MAGA‑controlled presidency will go down with it. Many scandals that make headlines are amplified for a reason — they blur the line between legality and “getting away with it through technicalities.” But the fact is there are countless statute violations that are not sexy — and knotted to all in his orbit — even if most violations don’t make headlines or quickly evaporate in the rapid‑moving news cycle.
Simply put, rhetoric is empty when reality hits hard. And many of those were Trump’s own base. Ironically, it is a lot of the blue folks who are weathering some of the bad economy better — and they were warning red voters to either vote for their best interests or at least have a contingency plan. As an independent, I had a plan, and although the cost of living is exceedingly unpleasant, I expected it — therefore I was ready. His voters were counting on “lower cost of living and groceries on day one” — it’s been 315 days (at the time this article was released).
The economy is one of countless examples of why Trump has lost his appeal to millions of Americans. Examples ex‑MAGA are citing include, but are not limited to: ICE, billionaire tax breaks, higher medical insurance premiums, cozying up to authoritarians, crimes against humanity abroad and on American soil, the Epstein cover‑up, lack of progress despite all U.S. government branches being MAGA‑controlled, etc. Bottom line: their lives are worse now than with Biden, and that sure stings a lot of folks who would not shut up about “Sleepy Joe.”
But they realized something that is very much American — choosing America first over personal ego. We Americans know that it takes a lot more courage to admit a mistake, rectify it, and warn others about it than to double down. The latter is the coward’s way. And America is the land of the free, home of the brave. Hence the exodus: Americans are choosing America over party. But politicians are a different story
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Who’s Next After MTG?
Short answer: Whoever is more politically vulnerable — not whoever has “found their conscience.”
Most incumbent politicians are a different breed of mammal. They become accustomed to their cozy comforts of office. For the Dems, they often ignore the reality constituents are feeling — although many will talk a big game. And Republicans generally are lockstep with Trump or risk being disavowed — which is the least of their problems. The biggest problem is the death threats they get from their own MAGA base should they infuriate Trump.
Trump is no stranger to using his platform — including the presidency — to single out those he dislikes (except for Putin, whom he presumably likes very much, as he never once said anything remotely combative against him, despite Putin showing nude images of Melania Trump, the First Lady, on Russian prime‑time national television). Bottom line: Trump only needs to infer something, and his most loyal followers will use that as an excuse to pursue violence against Trump’s “enemies.” We’ve even seen cases of a Democratic legislator and her family being killed earlier this year.
MTG herself mentioned how the death threats escalated exponentially in the past few weeks. And yes, members of Congress — Republicans — have stated that MAGA‑base loyalists do threaten them with extreme violence should they vote against something Trump is supporting one way or the other. Which, in case you have not realized it, matches the Kremlin’s goals to a T. Whether Trump realizes it or not, you would think legislators would pay attention to easily identifiable patterns like that.
So to answer the question: Who is the next legislator? Troy Nehls (R‑TX) announced his retirement on November 29, following Mark Green (R‑TN), who announced his in July, with a special election underway for his seat. Of course, Trump endorsed Matt Van Epps (R), who is running against Aftyn Behn (D) and a few independents. Let’s see if Trump’s endorsement proves toxic in Tennessee as well.
But many other GOP legislators are announcing they won’t seek reelection for various reasons. Some say they want to go back to their families, others say they want higher office, and others cite the political climate. Here is a quick list of this growing trend:
U.S. Senators
- Joni Ernst (R‑IA): Retiring from public office.
- Mitch McConnell (R‑KY): The former long‑time Republican leader is retiring from public office.
- Thom Tillis (R‑NC): Retiring from public office.
- Marsha Blackburn (R‑TN): Running for Governor of Tennessee.
- Tommy Tuberville (R‑AL): Running for Governor of Alabama.
U.S. House of Representatives Members Retiring from Public Office
- Jodey Arrington (R‑TX).
- Don Bacon (R‑NE).
- Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑GA): Announced she will resign effective January 5, 2026, after clashing with President Trump.
- Michael McCaul (R‑TX).
- Troy Nehls (R‑TX).
- Morgan Luttrell (R‑TX).
Running for Other Offices
- Andy Barr (R‑KY): Running for U.S. Senate.
- Andy Biggs (R‑AZ): Running for Governor of Arizona.
- Buddy Carter (R‑GA): Running for U.S. Senate.
- Mike Collins (R‑GA): Running for U.S. Senate.
- Byron Donalds (R‑FL): Running for Governor of Florida.
- Randy Feenstra (R‑IA): Running for Governor of Iowa.
- Ashley Hinson (R‑IA): Running for U.S. Senate.
- Wesley Hunt (R‑TX): Running for U.S. Senate.
- John James (R‑MI): Running for Governor of Michigan.
- Dusty Johnson (R‑SD): Running for Governor of South Dakota.
- Nancy Mace (R‑SC): Running for Governor of South Carolina.
- Barry Moore (R‑AL): Running for U.S. Senate.
- Ralph Norman (R‑SC): Running for Governor of South Carolina.
- John Rose (R‑TN): Running for Governor of Tennessee.
- Chip Roy (R‑TX): Running for Texas Attorney General.
- David Schweikert (R‑AZ): Running for Governor of Arizona.
- Elise Stefanik (R‑NY): Running for Governor of New York.
- Tom Tiffany (R‑WI): Running for Governor of Wisconsin.
Notice that some of these folks will be primarying one another in battlegrounds. Either way, this shows growing dysfunction in the GOP caucus. And yes, many of those are openly MAGA Republicans. The gamble to go to higher office after a blue victory in the last election could very well risk any GOP majority in the future.
The hinge to this gamble relies on whether the blue candidates who attained victory in November prove themselves reliable, despite the expected opposition they will face from legislators stonewalling them. Remember, in politics many have a proven record of choosing party over country. If making the blue incumbent look bad seems tactically advantageous, the blue elected leaders should not only expect that but be ready to counteract it in a way that does not leave the American people as collateral casualties.
So, how beneficial is this gamble to the GOP? Well, it depends on how Trump’s power shifts should he get impeached. We literally saw the House of Representatives vote almost unanimously to release the Epstein files — with only one dissenting vote from a Republican who claimed his vote was to “defend the victims,” a non‑sequitur since Epstein’s victims openly expressed they want this information out to finally get accountability and closure, and to prevent this from ever occurring again.
Then the Senate voted unanimously against Trump — forcing him to sign the release of the Epstein files. Something Trump could have done without legislative votes whatsoever.
Of course, this was not unexpected, because no legislator in their right mind wants their legacy to show their name voted “yes” to protect the most notorious pedophile in American history. But notice that the only reason they voted like this now is because they had to put their name next to their vote. Otherwise, the GOP was playing defense for Trump essentially this entire term.
Trump finally signed into law the release of the files. But of course, he has not acted. MAGA tends to use semantics as a cover for why they delay — buying time, moving the goalpost, and hoping some folks will forget. But trust the American people — regardless of party — they won’t let the Epstein issue go away. And remember: Epstein died in his cell during Trump’s first term.
That means we are unlikely to see GOP legislators openly breaking ranks against Trump — but they might use coded language. Reports note GOP legislators feel mistreated by the Executive Branch. Which is exponentially dumb to feel that way. Why? Because Congress is a coequal branch of government. Essentially, they just let Trump get away with everything he has been getting away with — because they let him.
So, how much is enough? It is obvious the GOP has a very high tolerance for abuse. There is no shortage of MAGA folks starting to feel the pain, yet refusing to wake up to reality. But at some point, it becomes impossible to argue “political loyalty” against your thinning wallet when you can’t make ends meet and things worsen every passing day. Some MAGA who are more comfortable are also seeing their stocks and other commodities plunge. They might talk tough to others worse off, but the truth is this is hitting hard across the country — regardless of party.
Constituents are speaking up, and as the primaries approach, a new crop of candidates is speaking up — as Americans — and building their campaigns on speaking truth to power with courage. This is what American history is recording as the Courage Candidates. That is commendable, but we also need incumbent Courage Legislators. And both incumbent parties have proven pretty lousy at stepping up during this crucial time, when leadership should be unambiguous in protecting the Constitution of the United States of America.
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Courage Candidates
Americans are more similar than different. When we fight one another, only adversarial regimes win. The main political parties in the USA — Democrats and Republicans — are well established, but are entering obsolescence by their own actions and inaction. America is ready for a change that is not just patching up a used‑up status quo.
Most Americans are actually awesome. They are caring no matter what they look like. And the more you get to know each other as people, the more you appreciate how much we have in common.
Courage Candidates are multiplying. The unified message is clear: uphold the oath of office to defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and ensure accountability that truly puts America first in a way that benefits all people — in accordance with our country’s Constitution.
Surprise! Most Americans subscribe to that regardless of political leaning.
This is happening because the incumbents have proven weak, derelict, or downright incapable of stepping up to the positions they were elected to. It is still too early to see how the Courage Candidate campaigns will contrast with, or gain traction against, established candidates. But they do have something the Democratic Party lacks — a unified message: WE are the UNITED States of America!
And they all understand that in order to unify America, accountability must be paramount regardless of party. That means impeach, convict, and remove the incumbent president and any enabler in his orbit. This is not sedition; it is literally written as the solution for our constitutional republic — right there in black and white — in our U.S. Constitution.
Speaking truth to power takes courage, and we are seeing collective and collaborative courage becoming contagious. It is something neither party will be able to ignore, let alone conceal. The difference is that Americans are no longer only going out on demonstrations — they are enacting policy to fix what is broken.
For example, we’ve seen millions of Americans speaking out for the “No Kings” protest and other demonstrations spanning every corner of America, in red and blue states, against the current regime. But people quickly realized that as important as those were, there was no follow‑through. When protests are articulated into political platforms and policies, the story shifts from rhetoric into coalition.
So, the million‑dollar question is: Will the incumbents take note? But that also begs the question: Why now? They already had the seat and failed to step up to the arena. What makes us think they will meet the epiphany with action? As I said, it is a bit early to make a full assessment, but the writing is on the wall… Americans are tired of the status quo, because it failed when America needed it most. Now it is up to us Americans to decide our fate with a cohesive plan to unite America. HLC
About the Author: J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez
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J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez is the Founder of Half Life Crisis™, a unique father-daughter collaboration dedicated to the relentless pursuit of intellectual honesty, critical thinking, geopolitical strategy, and meaningful art. Marcelo is the recognized author of the essential reads, Authoritarianism & Propaganda and Woke & Proud, driving challenging conversations worldwide. When not publishing, Marcelo utilizes his strategic insight in technology and business as the founder of BeeZee Vision, LLC™, which includes BZVweb™ Automated Web Services and Info in Context™ strategic consulting.
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