The Republicans have a small majority in the Senate. But not all of them are on the side of Trump.
And this GOP senator just stabbed Donald Trump in the back in a stunning betrayal.
Utah’s incoming senator, John Curtis, is signaling his intent to forge his own path in the Senate, mirroring his predecessor Mitt Romney’s independent approach. Curtis, a 64-year-old Republican, has made it clear that he won’t act as a “rubber stamp” for President-elect Donald Trump, particularly when it comes to evaluating key cabinet nominations and major legislative proposals.
Speaking on ABC News’ This Week, Curtis expressed his desire to see Trump succeed but emphasized his commitment to making decisions based on what’s best for his state and the nation. “It’s very important to me that President Trump is successful. I want to see him wildly successful, and I’ll be supportive of him when he’s talking about inflation and the economy and everything like that,” Curtis said.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be moments when I disagree with him. I do have my own mind, and I’m not a rubber stamp. My stamp is the stamp of the state of Utah.”
Independent Stance on Key Nominations
Curtis has already shown a willingness to break from party expectations. He is reportedly among at least four Republican senators who voiced reservations about Trump’s pick of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general. The senator-elect has also expressed lingering concerns over other nominees, such as Department of Defense Secretary-designee Pete Hegseth.
When asked whether his concerns about Hegseth had been resolved, Curtis was unequivocal: “No. … They remain unresolved. And I shouldn’t try to resolve them until I have this big broad canvas of information about him.”
Curtis doubled down on his resolve to fulfill his constitutional duties, saying, “Anybody who wants to give me heat for doing my job, bring it on. This is my job. It’s my constitutional responsibility.”
He also voiced a need for assurances from FBI Director-designee Kash Patel, emphasizing that the bureau must remain apolitical.
A “Normal” Republican for Utah
Curtis has positioned himself as a traditional conservative rather than aligning with Trump’s MAGA movement. His victory in the GOP primary over Trump-backed Trent Staggs was seen as a continuation of the independent streak Romney brought to the Senate
Curtis praised Romney for staying “true to who he is” and defended his approach to occasionally diverge from party lines.
“A lot of people ask me [for specifics] when I say I’m sometimes going to have my differences with the president,” Curtis said. “I’ll just tell you from my previous service with him at the same time, it’s spending. We have to do far more to rein in our spending. And that is a big deal in Utah. That’s what my constituents expect me to do.”
Upholding Romney’s Legacy
Curtis takes over as Romney exits the Senate, leaving behind a legacy of being RINO, which is something that has put him at odds with the Republican Party.
Romney recently cast a protest vote against a last-minute deal to avert a government shutdown, criticizing the “absurd way this is to run government.”
With Republicans set to hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate next year, Trump has expressed optimism that the chamber will help advance his agenda.
However, Curtis’s insistence on independence suggests he may not always be a reliable ally for the president.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
