Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said in an interview with The Washington Post that the Republican Party never achieved what he called a return to "sanity" following President Trump's 2024 presidential victory, despite his earlier hopes it would.
Hogan, who lost his Senate bid to a Democrat and announced he would not run for office again, described himself as "jaded" by the current climate within the GOP. The former governor told the Post that while he anticipated the party would shift after Trump's second White House win, that transition has not materialized.
What the Right Is Saying
Trump allies have rejected Hogan's characterization, pointing to the administration's 2024 electoral success as evidence that the Republican coalition is functioning effectively. Supporters argue that internal debates about strategy are normal in any party and do not indicate a lack of direction.
Other Republicans have noted that Hogan has been a persistent critic of Trump since leaving office, suggesting his perspective reflects personal political grievances rather than an objective assessment of the party's trajectory. A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee pointed to recent polling showing strong support for the administration's agenda.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics have long argued that Hogan's assessment undersells deeper structural problems within the Republican Party that predate Trump. They note that many Democratic strategists view internal GOP divisions as a sign of electoral opportunity rather than ideological health.
Some Democrats have pointed to the wave of Republican retirements as evidence that the party has become difficult to navigate from within, regardless of who holds the White House. A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee said the departures reflect "a Party in turmoil" and suggested voters are noticing.
What the Numbers Show
According to data compiled by The Hill, 74 congressional lawmakers and one House delegate have announced they will not seek reelection in November. Among Republicans specifically, multiple high-profile members are departing, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has also recently resigned from Congress.
Trump won the 2024 presidential election, securing a second term in the White House after previously serving from 2017 to 2021. Hogan lost his Senate bid in Maryland to Democrat Angela Alsobrooks.
The Bottom Line
Hogan's comments add to a public debate about the direction of the Republican Party as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Whether November produces the shift he is hoping for remains to be seen, but the wave of Republican retirements suggests that some members see a changing landscape on Capitol Hill regardless of who controls the White House.