Republicans complain Trump is ignoring the party

For eight years, Republicans in Congress had to contend with Barack Obama, a hostile president who could draw large crowds and undermined them at every turn. Not much has changed with one of their own in the White House, many of them complain.

President Trump has fingered fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill for criticism just as often, if not more, than he has opposition Democrats, spurning the political role of party leader and party builder traditionally assumed by the commander in chief.

That detachment has saddled Republicans with the burdens of White House power that are foisted upon political parties in midterm elections, while denying them many of the crucial benefits — fundraising and organization chief among them.

This development has strained relations between Trump and the Republican congressional committees, the foremost GOP campaign organizations charged with holding the House and Senate majorities in 2018.

"He's certainly pursuing a different model," said a Republican operative who worked in the White House under President George W. Bush and requested anonymity in order to speak candidly. "If he's not careful, he's going to help Democrats take over one or both chambers. This is galactically stupid."