GOP Infighting Threatens Trump’s Energy Agenda Ahead of 2028

The Republican Party is facing significant internal divisions that may hinder President Donald Trump’s energy agenda as the race for the 2028 presidential nomination intensifies. Prominent party members, including Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, are positioning themselves for a run, creating a competitive atmosphere that could undermine legislative unity.

During the early months of his second term, Trump experienced a brief period of support from the GOP, but this unity appears to be fracturing. The competition for the 2028 nomination has begun, with various factions within the party likely to complicate efforts to secure major legislative victories ahead of the mid-term elections in 2026.

Currently, Congress has not taken steps to solidify any of Trump’s executive orders or actions from his energy-related cabinet. Despite holding slim majorities in both houses, the presence of political outliers such as Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie and more moderate Republicans like Maine Senator Susan Collins and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski may hinder progress.

Challenges in Energy Policy Implementation

The inconsistency of U.S. energy policy over the years has created uncertainty for businesses. Executive actions by a president can be easily reversed by the successor, as demonstrated by the recent reversal of certain green subsidies in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Legislative changes, however, require cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, which has been lacking.

The fluctuations in energy and climate policy impact business confidence. Companies struggle to plan for the future amid shifting regulations. Analysts have pointed to a significant drop in investment in new oil and gas reserves over the last decade, attributing part of this decline to an emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria that diverted funds from core projects. Since 2022, major corporations like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP have shifted their focus back to maximizing investor returns, yet the long-term effects of earlier decisions linger.

Future Implications for the GOP

The current fragmentation within the GOP may hinder Trump’s ability to push through his energy agenda. If a Democrat wins the presidency in 2028, the momentum gained during Trump’s second term could quickly dissipate. Ongoing infighting could also jeopardize Republican performance in the upcoming mid-term elections, potentially leading to another impeachment effort against Trump during his final two years in office.

As tensions escalate within the party, the likelihood of internal struggles undermining Trump’s policies increases. While democracy often involves contention, the disunity among GOP members may create additional challenges for advancing a cohesive energy policy agenda.

David Blackmon, an energy writer and consultant based in Texas, has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, focusing on public policy and communications. The insights shared in this article reflect his personal views and do not represent any official stance of the Daily Caller News Foundation.