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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise formally endorsed Donald Trump for president Tuesday, the latest top Republican elected official to throw his weight behind the former chief executive.
Scalise (R-La.) joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in backing Trump, the odds-on favorite to secure the Republican nomination 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,” Scalise, 58, posted on X.
The No. 2 House Republican lamented the burgeoning migration crisis, high inflation and the state of US energy under President Biden in 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 told the outlet of Biden’s record.
The Louisiana Republican went on to argue that under Trump’s watch, “American workers and families were thriving,” and that the 77-year-old is the “one man who has a proven track record of being able to save our country and get us back on track.”
With Scalise’s endorsement, at least 95 sitting Republican House members have publicly backed Trump, along with at least 18 of the 49 sitting Republican senators.
The House majority leader announced his endorsement 13 days before the Iowa caucuses and exactly three weeks before 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 Chitika responded Tuesday.
“Scalise’s endorsement is the latest proof that while the House GOP is unable to accomplish anything on behalf of the American people, they are laser-focused on advancing Trump’s MAGA agenda and ripping away freedoms.”
Despite Trump leading his rivals in both national and early state primary polls, he faces a number of challenges to his primacy in 2024.
On Dec. 19, Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled Trump was disqualified from the state’s primary ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits those who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding office.
However, the ruling was stayed pending a likely appeal to the US Supreme Court, meaning Trump is likely to remain on the Colorado ballot barring quick action from the high court.
On Dec. 28, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also jettisoned Trump from the primary ballot, citing the same constitutional clause.
The former president is expected to challenge that ruling to the Supreme Court as well.
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