Trump To Begin Vetting 2022 Candidates, Reports Politico

Feb. 20 , 2021 (EIRNS)—Politico today reports from sources said to be close to Donald Trump that he will begin in March to vet potential candidates to run in the primaries against any Republican member of Congress that is not a Trump supporter. They report that Trump has been very selective about who can visit him at Mar-a-Lago thus far, limiting it to only his closest allies.

“Trump already has received dozens of requests from prospective candidates seeking to introduce themselves and nab his endorsement, and formal meetings with them could begin as early as March,” Politico writes. They report that his PAC, Save America, had $31 million at the start of this month.

Trump met his former campaign manager Brad Parscale this past week “to discuss online fundraising components to support his efforts and how he can utilize social media despite his ban from popular websites like Twitter. Trump also met with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), and his eldest son Don Jr. earlier this week,” according to Politico. He will speak at a fundraiser today for Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) at Mar-a-Lago with guests including Matt Gaetz (R-F:) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) according to an invitation.

“We are in the process of putting together a more formal schedule for candidates who want to come get his endorsement,” said senior Trump adviser Jason Miller. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is scheduled to meet with Trump over the weekend to discuss his upcoming plans, which will include voting reform and a planned speaking tour. But Graham told Fox News after Trump’s attack on Mitch McConnell: “I’m more worried about 2022 than I’ve ever been. I don’t want to eat our own.”

Politico adds: “Others in Trump’s orbit have encouraged him to wait and see if Republicans who’ve crossed him and are up for reelection next fall, such as Governors Mike DeWine of Ohio and Brian Kemp of Georgia, attempt a peace offering before he launches a serious search for possible primary challengers.”

Others with whom Trump has kept in touch include Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and ex-campaign advisers Corey Lewandowski and Dave Bossie.

“A Republican Party that seeks to erase President Trump and fails to understand his appeal to working class voters is destined to lose elections in 2022, 2024 and beyond,” Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), chair of the conservative Republican Study Committee, tweeted on Feb. 17.