Republican splits may mar Trump's clout in party

Significance

Both groups are backed financially by the Koch brothers, who are leading conservative political donors and have sought to shape the Republican Party in favour of strictly limiting the role of the federal government. Congressional Republicans with similar views currently claim that they have the votes to block the AHCA from advancing despite the vocal backing of Trump and their party's congressional leadership. Trump ran as a non-politician, but now as a de facto leader of the party, his ability to push through policy priorities will force him to engage with the ideological and factional divisions of the Republican Party.

Impacts

• Republican objections to Trump policies on fiscal and national security grounds will prove the most contentious.
• Few Cabinet secretaries or agency heads will enjoy autonomy from a vigilant White House team.
• However, lack of central direction will make clashes on policy inevitable.
• Dysfunction will harm congressional leaders more than Trump, who has relatively fewer discrete policy pledges.