GOP's goal for 2026? 'Protect Donald Trump and stay in power' not policies

Elections and Political Power - The Republican party's primary objective is to protect Donald Trump and maintain power, lacking a programmatic or policy background [18][19] - Trump's influence stems from his ability to mobilize approximately 30% of voters for primaries, giving him significant control over the Republican party [21] - Republicans fear their own voters, leading them to prioritize maintaining power over democratic processes [20][21] - The White House is willing to use all tools of power to pursue its political ends [7] Concerns over Election Integrity - There are concerns about the potential for interference in elections, with comparisons drawn to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election [2][3][14] - Trump is seeding the ground early to claim elections are suspect, a tactic he has used since 2015 [11][12] - The Republican National Committee (RNC) is requesting voter data from 48 states and Washington DC, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) is requesting voter data from 20 states [16][17] Democratic Response - Democrats are fighting back against Republican efforts, particularly concerning gerrymandering and voter access [24][26][27] - Democrats emphasize the need to address the concerns and fears of everyday people [26]