House Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is under pressure to distance himself from President Donald Trump, as critics warn he risks being remembered as a ‘bootlicker’ if he continues to support the former president. Thune emerged victorious over Trump loyalists Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who retired in February after health concerns. While Thune has criticized Trump in the past, he has mostly remained silent on Trump’s significant changes since becoming president, with some questioning his partial consent to Trump’s actions. Democratic operative Steve Jarding emphasized that Thune must choose between maintaining influence and avoiding a controversial legacy. Mark Salter, an advisor to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), expressed hope for inner turmoil as Thune watches executive power grow at Congress’s expense. Despite the pressure, Thune has maintained a ‘productive working relationship’ with Trump, even praising him on Truth Social for funding the ‘Trump-Border Agenda.’ After the controversial Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, where many Republicans criticized Trump for siding with Russia, Thune avoided overt criticism, calling the meeting ‘spirited’ and focusing on the future.