Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) is facing pressure to endorse former President Donald Trump’s 2024 bid before he, or someone else, wins the Republican presidential nomination.
Supporters of the former president, who has developed a decisive lead in 2024 primary polls, have recently begun taking aim at the freshman senator’s decision to remain neutral until the general election. Britt, viewed as a rising star in the GOP, is the only member of Alabama’s congressional delegation to not weigh into the 2024 primary in support of Trump.
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Britt, 41, made her neutrality pledge late last year when joining the Republican National Committee’s Advisory Council. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel had asked members of the newly created panel to stay out of the 2024 presidential primary process in order to join, but she reversed course this year, a spokesman for the committee told the Washington Examiner on Thursday.
“When we launched the Republican Party Advisory Council to help us chart the best path forward to win in 2024, we asked members to remain neutral in the Republican presidential primary,” RNC spokesman Keith Schipper said in a statement.
“Now that we’re in the advanced stages of the race, all members of the council are welcome to continue their work regardless of whether they are backing a Republican presidential candidate or not, to help us make Joe Biden a one term president,” he added.
While some on the council, such as Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and John James (R-MI), have since endorsed Trump, Britt has opted to maintain her neutrality. A Britt spokesman noted to the Washington Examiner that the senator “respects other members of the Council who have made their own decisions on how to proceed at this stage.
“She made a public commitment — one that she has reiterated to Alabamians as recently as last week — and she takes great personal pride in being someone who keeps her word,” Britt spokesman Sean Ross said.
Trump allies have taken notice of Britt’s position and begun criticizing her for it.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk claimed on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, earlier this month that there is “no legitimate excuse” for Britt “to be the only federal elected official from Alabama not endorsing Donald Trump.”
For his part, Trump initially endorsed former Rep. Mo Brooks’s candidacy in the 2022 Senate primary before revoking his support and eventually backing Britt. A Trump spokesman did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment on how the former president feels about Britt’s refusal to endorse him before the general election.
Still, not everyone on the Trump Train is taking issue with Britt’s 2024 approach.
Steve Bannon, the longtime Breitbart executive and a close Trump ally who served in the 45th president’s administration, defended Britt in a statement on Wednesday.
“Katie Britt is politically savvy and a fighter for the America First agenda,” Bannon said. “I think it’s crucial – given her unique perspective, profile, and platform – that her endorsement is rolled out when it will make the biggest impact to defeat Joe Biden.”
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Britt’s spokesman brushed off the criticism, noting that the senator “enjoys a warm relationship with President Trump and had an opportunity to speak with him recently. The Senator greatly appreciated his well wishes and kind words.”
“While she continues to rest and recover at home, Wesley and her parents were excited to be there in Montgomery to welcome President Trump back to Alabama for his record-shattering, standing-room-only speech,” the spokesman said. “The President’s winning message was received with tremendous enthusiasm by the crowd, just as it is resonating strongly nationwide – which is evidenced by his massive (and still growing) lead.”
