University of Minnesota Conservatives Divided on Trump and GOP's Future

As the University of Minnesota's College Republicans adjust to life after Donald Trump's presidency, some students are strengthening their resolve for Trumpism, while others are reassessing their conservative ideology. The student group, which is now focusing on outreach and recruitment, particularly aims to expand its membership among Latino students.

Key Takeaways:

• Vice President Jack Tschetter, a second-year student, said he still identifies as a conservative but has become more divided on Trump's divisive rhetoric. He wants to see more women in the party run for office and stronger regulations on "big tech."
• Tschetter condemns the violence from the U.S. Capitol insurrection and hopes most Republicans stand by the principle of freedom and democracy.
• Trump's impeachment trial, set to begin next month, is expected to further divide Senate Republicans, according to Professor Kathryn Pearson.
• Second-year student Vitaly Brown, who voted for Trump, believes the rioting was not an effective means of protest, and he does not think Trump incited the attack. Brown thinks the rioters were from various "Democratic groups," like Antifa, posing as Trump supporters.
• The FBI has concluded that no individuals associated with Antifa were involved in the insurrection, according to CNBC.
• Fourth-year student Emma DiPiazza, who describes herself as a conservative, has become more open-minded and identifies as a feminist who cares about Black and LGBTQ+ rights.
• DiPiazza said she is a fiscal conservative and social liberal, and she is hopeful that Trump's presidency will not permanently damage the reputation of the Republican party.
• Professor Pearson believes that the GOP's future looks uncertain, with some Trump supporters moving on, while others remain loyal to him.
• DiPiazza is hopeful that a younger generation of moderates will emerge, bringing more common sense and a broader perspective to politics.

Statistics:

• 52% of Latino voters cast ballots for Republican candidates across the country in the 2020 general election (Tschetter's comment)
• 34 Senate Republicans have acknowledged Trump's role in inciting the riots, according to a Senate GOP spokesperson (Pearson's comment)
• The FBI has concluded that 147 individuals associated with far-right extremist groups were involved in the insurrection, according to the New York Times (Brown's comment)
• 45.6% of Antifa-related activity is, according to the FBI, directed at military/veteran targets (Brown's comment, CNBC)

Sources:

• Jack Tschetter, Vice President of University of Minnesota College Republicans
• Kathryn Pearson, Professor of American Politics at the University of Minnesota
• Vitaly Brown, second-year student at the University of Minnesota
• Emma DiPiazza, fourth-year student at the University of Minnesota
• CNBC
• The New York Times