GOP Senators Aren't Hiding Their Frustration With Trump

President Trump has picked his side in a Texas GOP brawl, and Senate Republicans are not hiding their irritation. Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Senate primary runoff, undercutting 23-year incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and prompting warnings that the move could put what was seen as a safe Republican seat at risk. "I think that this puts that seat in jeopardy," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, while Sen. John Hoeven reacted with a wary "oh boy." A disappointed Sen. Susan Collins described Paxton as "ethically challenged," per Politico, and Majority Leader John Thune, who had pushed Trump to back Cornyn, reacted by "throwing up a hand in a gesture of exasperation," per the New York Times.

The endorsement lands amid fraying ties between Trump and Senate Republicans, coming on the heels of Trump-backed challengers beating out GOP incumbents like Sen. Bill Cassidy. Paxton, dogged by ethics and legal controversies, is expected to get a lift from the endorsement, with early voting already underway. But some Republicans fear a Paxton nomination would make the race against Democrat James Talarico, a well-funded state legislator looking to rally independent voters, far more competitive. Even Sen. Lindsey Graham admits the pathway for Paxton is "more uphill" and Republicans need to "raise a lot more money now." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, said Democrats were "in much better shape taking back Texas than we were a few days ago," per the Washington Post.