On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise formally endorsed Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency, making him the latest prominent Republican elected official to support the former chief executive.
Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in supporting Trump, who is widely expected to become the Republican nominee later this year.
“I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024, and I look forward to working with President Trump and a Republican House and Senate to fight for those families who are struggling under the weight of Biden’s failed policies.”
The second-ranking House Republican expressed concerns about the growing migration crisis, elevated inflation, and the condition of U.S. energy during an interview with Fox News Digital.
“Gas prices more than doubled, housing affordability reached all-time lows, mortgage rates doubled, inflation hit the highest level in 40 years, and interest rates are at the highest level in 22 years,” Scalise said.
The Republican from Louisiana continued to assert that during Trump’s presidency, American workers and families were flourishing. He emphasized that the 77-year-old former president is the individual with a demonstrated history of successfully steering our country and restoring it on the right course.
Scalise’s support adds to the growing number of endorsements for Trump, with a minimum of 95 current Republican House members and at least 18 out of the 49 sitting Republican senators openly expressing their backing. The House majority leader made this endorsement 13 days before the Iowa caucuses and precisely three weeks ahead of the New Hampshire primary.
“Scalise’s top priority has always been pushing Trump’s unpopular agenda: He voted against certifying the 2020 election, is hellbent on banning abortion nationwide, and worked with Trump to try to rip away Americans’ health care,” Democrat National Committee spokesperson Sarafina answered.
Despite Trump’s current lead in national and early state primary polls, his dominance in the 2024 election is challenged by various obstacles. The Colorado Supreme Court, on December 19, decided that Trump is ineligible for the state’s primary ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have participated in insurrection or rebellion from holding office. It’s worth noting that this ruling is temporarily on hold, awaiting a probable appeal to the US Supreme Court. Consequently, unless swift action is taken by the higher court, Trump is expected to stay on the Colorado ballot.
