GOP Blowback Against Trump Expands With Defiance From Six House Republicans In New Vote

Six House Republicans voted with Democrats to adopt a resolution blocking the president's Canada tariffs following a rare procedural vote in which three Republicans joined Democrats to rebuke both the president and GOP leadership, according to NBC News.

The votes mark one of the clearest cases of internal Republican resistance to the president's trade and policy agenda as midterm elections approach.

The tariff vote followed other instances of public criticism from within the party. Republican officials declined to attend a bipartisan White House meeting after Democratic governors were initially not invited, and several Republicans condemned the president for sharing a social media video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called the video "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House."

The report also point to the fact that the president's approval rating has fallen to 39%, down from 42% in December, according to its Decision Desk poll. The same survey found 49% of adults strongly disapprove of his immigration crackdown.

GOP strategists told NBC that declining approval reduces the president's leverage over Republican lawmakers, particularly those facing competitive races. Former White House aide Marc Short said:

"The laws of political gravity still apply, and as there's less support for his two signature issues of the economy and immigration, he will continue to see more Republicans distance themselves as we get closer to the midterm election"

Concerns about party standing have also surfaced among conservative figures and Republican strategists. Steve Bannon said on his "War Room" program over the weekend that there is "a massive lack of enthusiasm among the base," citing polling from conservative firms showing Democrats ahead on the generic House ballot and leading among highly motivated voters.

Private Republican polling described by Axios shows growing concern about Senate control, where Republicans hold a 53–47 majority. One operative familiar with internal surveys told the outled that "a year ago, I would have told you we were almost guaranteed to win the Senate. Today, I would have to tell you it's far less certain."

Some Republican lawmakers have urged adjustments in strategy. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar wrote that "Hispanics are leaving the GOP in large numbers" and called on the party to "reverse course and act now."