The anchored NRA shows its strength with Trump

The National Rifle Association (NRA) may be down, but it has not disappeared – and the group seems to have succeeded in putting pressure on the main player in the debate on gun control.

After declaring earlier this month that he wanted "very useful background checks" of firearms buyers, President TrumpHarry Reid: "The decriminalization of border crossings is not something that should be at the top of the list" Recessions happen when presidents neglect fundamental issues MORE has since changed its air. He said Tuesday that the United States already had "a very good background check" and that officials should be wary of a possible "slippery slope" in which "everything is stolen".

Democrats attribute this change, as well as the language that he used, to the work of the NRA.

"I hoped that the president would break with the gun lobby and would support bipartisan firearms reforms were still weak, but the speed with which he withdrew statements that he made earlier this month was remarkable, "said Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday.

"The NRA loses money and board members because of corruption and mismanagement, but it is clear that they still have a vice on the president," he said. he added.

Over the last few months, the NRA has experienced a downsizing, an exodus of leaders, allegations of unexplained spending and a power struggle between its top ranks. On Tuesday, three other NRA officials resigned.

But following this month's shooting in El Paso (Texas) and Dayton (Ohio), which killed 31 people, the NRA showed flexibility.

A few days after Trump had offered his initial support for the background checks legislation, he had to face intense lobbying from gun rights groups. During a recent 10-day stay at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump reportedly spoke to Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's CEO, according to the New York Times.

Trump then called LaPierre Tuesday to tell him that the universal background check was pending and that he wanted to focus on funding mental health care and prosecuting gun crimes, according to The Atlantic.

the NRA tweeted a statement from LaPierre confirming the conversation.

"I spoke to the President today and discussed the best ways to prevent such tragedies. @realDonaldTrump is a strong # 2A President and supports our right to keep and bear arms! "LaPierre said, referring to the second amendment.

The White House has rebuffed The Atlantic's article.

"The president has not mentioned the universal support background check. Significant background checks remain on the table. The President and Wayne spoke today, as confirmed by the NRA's tweet, "said a White House official in an email.

Trump's change took shape on Sunday. HWe told reporters that there was a lot of talk about gun reform in Capitol Hill, but it was also about mental health.

"I do not want people to forget that this is a mental health problem. I do not want them to forget it, because it is. It's a mental health problem, "Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One. "It's the people who pull the trigger; it is not the weapon that pulls the trigger. "

On Tuesday, he warned of the "slippery slope" of firearms laws, a wording that closely mirrors the NRA's long standing position that even modest regulation of gun control would eventually lead to stricter regulation.

These types of remarks have negated the hopes of supporters of firearms reform such as Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyNight Defense: Tensions between the US and Russia worsen about nuclear weapons | Highlights of Esper's Asian Journey | Trump adopts a neutral tone during protests in Hong Kong | General orders examine the ethics of special forces The White House is considering the September action plan on the gun proposals Trump phoned a Democratic senator to talk to him about gun control at fire PLUS (D-Conn.).

"I talked to him about a week ago. In this conversation, he expressed his support for working with Republicans and Democrats to introduce a bill on background checks, "Murphy said on MSNBC. "I'm sure the NRA and its allies are putting a lot of pressure on the president for him to step back."

According to some Democrats, the way Trump will handle this latest campaign for gun legislation will be a test of his character and loyalty.

"The president has to decide what is most important to him: save lives or be present for the gun lobby," said the representative. Ted DeutchTheodore (Ted) Eliot DeutchHouse Democrats urge Trump to put an end to Iraqi evictions after the death of a diabetic (D-Fla.) Said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "There is no other explanation. If he can not stand up to the NRA, he is a coward and he should be ashamed of himself. "

Congressional Democrats say they have already taken this route with the President.

In February 2018, after the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, Trump expressed support for the background checks legislation. But after the intervention of the NRA, Trump quickly turned to promoting tougher security measures at school.

Deutch recalled a meeting at the White House following Parkland when Trump "pointed his finger at the Republicans in the room and said that the only reason we had not passed the background checks was because They were terrified by the NRA. "

"I think he called them cowards," Deutch said. "If the president withdraws from the statements he's made after El Paso and Dayton to check the background, then he's the biggest coward of the government."

Murphy said he still hoped Trump would continue filtering gun buyers.

"Until I hear directly from him, I am not willing to concede that history is repeating itself and that he has given up on the commitment that he has made. he took, "Murphy said in a statement on Tuesday. "But it's time for the Republicans and President Trump to decide on their side, will they support the 90% of Americans who want a universal background check, or will they bow to the lobby again?" firearms? "

Other Democrats are much more discouraged about the likelihood that a gun bill will be passed by Congress, particularly the Senate and the majority leader controlled by the GOP. Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi and Schumer demand that guns be filtered while Trump is getting closer to the election of the malicious program: the return to paper ballots is the only way to prevent hacking. (R-Ky.).

"Trump and McConnell are at a crossroads with the NRA, and they will not want [Trump] do anything. And much of the Trump base is against any modification, "Rep. Steve CohenStephen (Steve) Ira CohenHouse Democrats support majority support for impeachment. The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Mueller's Time: GEM Question, Questions Ready for General Audience This Week: Mueller Dominates Chaotic Week on Capitol Hill PLUS (D-Tenn.), A prominent member of the Judiciary Committee of the House, said during a court appearance on CNN.

On September 4, the Judiciary Committee of the House will return to Washington after the August parliamentary recess, to enact measures banning large-capacity magazines, prohibiting persons convicted of hate crimes from possessing firearms. fire and supporting states that approve the "red flag". laws to confiscate firearms from persons considered to be a threat to themselves or others.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiJohnson Plans Negotiation of the Irish Border in Brexit Mueller's Report Disappears from Political Conversation Five Key Players in Trump's Commercial Battles MORE (D-Calif.) Should consolidate several firearms bills and get it passed by the House after legislators return on September 9th. This effort is designed to increase political pressure on Trump and McConnell.

Cohen predicted that firearms bills "are not going anywhere."

Asked what needs to be done for Congress to adopt gun reforms despite NRA opposition, Cohen said voters voted for new leaders in November 2020 .

"You need a new president. We need a new majority leader in the Senate, "he said. "The locals need to understand that we have a leader who can not run this country."

Updated at 18:51