Some in GOP begin testing party’s lockstep loyalty to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump stepped up his election-year effort to dominate the Republican Party with a Saturday (Jan. 15, 2022) rally in Arizona. He castigated anyone who dares to question his lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. That includes the state’s GOP governor, Doug Ducey. But 2,000 miles to the east in Washington, there are small signs that some Republicans are tiring of the charade. A generally unassuming senator from South Dakota, Mike Rounds, is perhaps the boldest in acknowledging the reality that the election was in fact fair. Rounds has drawn Trump’s ire but also support from some fellow Republicans.