February 9, 2024

RENO, Nevada — Donald Trump long ago bent the Republican Party to his will. But seldom has the sheer sweep of the former president’s dominance been laid bare more clearly than this week.

In one 72-hour span, Trump led the charge to crush a painstakingly negotiated border-security deal in Congress, pushed the Republican National Committee chair to the exits and, in Nevada, embarrassed his last remaining rival in the presidential primary.

The heaviness of Trump’s hand was felt across the country — as was the conspiratorial, “Stop the Steal” tenor of the party lining up behind him.

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