Top Republican House leaders all endorse Trump for president

By Kate Sullivan, CNN

(CNN) — House Whip Tom Emmer announced on Wednesday that he is backing former President Donald Trump in his latest bid for the White House. With Emmer’s announcement on X, all of the Republican House leaders have now backed Trump’s re-election campaign.

“Democrats have made clear they will use every tool in their arsenal to try and keep Joe Biden and his failed policies in power. We cannot let them. It’s time for Republicans to unite behind our party’s clear frontrunner, which is why I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President,” Emmer posted on X.

Emmer’s announcement comes after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise endorsed Trump on Tuesday and less than two weeks before the Iowa caucuses kick off voting in the Republican presidential primary.

“I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024, and I look forward to working with President Trump and a Republican House and Senate to fight for those families who are struggling under the weight of Biden’s failed policies,” Scalise posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Trump thanked Scalise on his social media website Truth Social and said it was a “great honor” to have his endorsement. “I will not let you, or our Country, down!” Trump wrote.

The former president continues to lead the Republican presidential primary field by around 40 percentage points in nationwide polling, according to the latest update to the CNN Poll of Polls, ahead of his chief rivals Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Trump’s commanding lead comes as he is a defendant in multiple criminal trials and faces 91 charges against him across four separate cases. He’s been juggling campaigning in early voting states with his legal obligations as a defendant. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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