The Republicans began to contradict the Trump administration more and more on various topics, and one of them is the partial withdrawal of US troops from Romania
The Trump administration does not have much opposition, but this week it still faced criticism on four issues, even from Republican congressmen, notes the American publication Axios.
Several Republican senators distanced themselves from President Trump on four issues this week, including the withdrawal of troops from Romania, even though they agree with him and support the White House administration on most issues.
It is not a direct defiance, but the senators have made it clear that they have a different opinion than the president and are willing to defy him, writes Axios.
The criticism comes amid the release of several polls that suggest American dissatisfaction with the president and unease about the direction the country is headed.
Partial withdrawal from Romania
The partial withdrawal of American troops from Romania is one of the issues that caused the dissatisfaction of some important voices in the republican camp.
The chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees criticized Trump's decision to reduce the number of US troops in Romania to 1,000 from about 2,000.
“We strongly oppose this decision,” Republican Sen. Roger Wicker and another House Republican, Mike Rogers, said in a joint statement Wednesday, arguing the measure “sends the wrong signal to Russia.”
“It is troubling that Congress was not consulted before this decision was made,” they added.
Senator Mitch McConnell, who chairs the Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee, echoed their concerns.
“Withdrawing from Europe does not contribute to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific as Russia and China work together to undermine us,” he said.
The White House administration does not need the approval of Congress to take measures like the one taken in Romania, but the senators' interventions were noted by the American press as a rare example of criticism.
Customs duties
Another issue that frequently drew criticism from some Republican voices was that of the president's tariffs.
Republican senators joined with Democrats three times this week to pass joint resolutions to repeal Trump's tariffs — on Brazil, Canada and worldwide, Axios writes.
Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted with Democrats against Trump's tariffs.
One of the Republicans' arguments concerns the adverse effects these taxes have on businesses in the states they represent.
Trade and relationship with Argentina
Many Americans are not exactly happy about the helping hand that Trump is extending to his friend Javier Mila, the president of Argentina, and the trade that the US is doing with that country.
In a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance was mobbed by senators outraged by Trump's announcement on beef imports from Argentina.
It's a major issue for Republican senators who represent big beef-producing states — some of which also have soybean producers affected by the China-Trump trade war (China has since agreed to resume buying U.S. soybeans).
The topic was discussed so much that Vance at one point had to ask if anyone had anything to say beyond the beef, insiders told Axios.
Venezuela
The administration wants Republicans to consult only among themselves more and more, but excluding Democrats from the institutional process does not sound good.
Some Republicans expressed concern that the White House on Wednesday decided to exclude Democrats from a briefing on the administration's raids on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific.
Sen. Lindsey Graham told HuffPost that Democrats should “absolutely” be informed and that “it's very important that everyone be informed.”
Sen. Mike Rounds raised the issue with the administration, telling NBC News that it was “unfortunate” that Democrats did not attend the meeting.
