SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — President Trump leaves office with an uncertain political future, and it is unclear how influential he will remain in the Republican Party, according to San Diego political analysts and politicians.
"Donald Trump is very radioactive at this point, for a lot of people," said El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, who voted for Trump. "I think that aside from his bombastic attitude and his abrasive way of speaking, I thought his policies were really good."
Wells, a Republican, says he watched in horror on Jan. 6, when pro-trump rioters stormed the capitol, and he's not sure whether President Trump would be a viable candidate in 2024. Trump has also floated launching a TV network or his own party.
"I think it's much better for Trump to use his platform within the Republican party to push for what is the right direction and to find somebody else that can deliver that message without being so abrasive and dividing," Wells said.
Americans should learn soon if republicans will stand by Trump himself, move on. The first test will be the looming Senate impeachment trial.
"This is the time period in which Republicans will finally have to decide where they stand on Donald Trump and what he's done over the last month," said Thad Kousser, a political scientist at UC San Diego.
And if Trump doesn't run in 2024?
"The question would be, if you're a Republican running for president, do you want his endorsement? And I don't have an answer to that," said political analyst John Dadian.
But it appears a sizable number of Republicans will still pursue his policies.
Potential Republican candidates for 2024 include former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
