Former President Donald Trump is stepping up his election-year effort to dominate the Republican Party with a Saturday rally in Arizona.
Meanwhile, top Republicans in Washington have engaged in a behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, one of Trump’s most vocal antagonists in the party, to run for a Senate seat. And on Saturday, Glenn Youngkin will become the first Republican since 2010 to be sworn in as Virginia’s governor after running a campaign that kept Trump at arm's length.
There is no evidence to support Trump’s claims that the election was stolen. Elections officials and his own attorney general rejected the notion. Trump’s arguments have also been roundly rejected by the courts, including judges appointed by the former president. And any time candidates spend looking backward is time not spent attacking President Joe Biden, who is seen as particularly vulnerable amid rising inflation and coronavirus cases.
Ready or not, it's already time to talk about the next election - politicians are setting the stage for 2022 midterms and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could even have 2024 presidential aspirations. But other Republicans like Wyoming Rep Liz Cheney are calling for a Donald Trump free future of the party. NBCLX Political Editor Noah Pransky explains.
“All the races are going to be fought by Trump and highlighted on Fox. So these candidates have to be very, very careful. They have to win the primary to win the general," he said.