Capitol Hill Republicans are finding their old playbook falling flat under President Donald Trump’s second term, as the party navigates a sharper, more disciplined leader backed by Vice President JD Vance, according to a Monday analysis by TheBlaze’s Matthew Peterson. Once able to sidestep Trump’s agenda with a wink and a nod, GOP lawmakers now face a loyalty test, with Vance wielding unprecedented influence to enforce Trump’s America First priorities. For conservatives, this is a welcome shift—proof the GOP’s finally aligning with the voters’ 2024 mandate.

Peterson’s piece, “Why Republicans’ Old Tricks Aren’t Working on Trump This Time,” zeroes in on the Senate’s resistance to Trump’s picks, like Elbridge Colby for undersecretary of defense. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) initially balked, demanding loyalty to Trump’s agenda, but Vance’s quiet pressure—without public attacks—changed the game.

“The vice president might be the main reason Capitol Hill Republicans’ ‘do my own thing while claiming MAGA’ trick no longer works,” Peterson wrote.

He cites Cotton’s eventual backing of Colby, after Vance’s behind-the-scenes nudge, as evidence of a new GOP order. McConnell’s old strategy—publicly nodding to Trump while pursuing his own path on issues like Ukraine aid and endless wars—won’t fly now, with Vance’s office cracking the whip. Peterson notes McConnell’s retirement and Pence’s absence as key shifts, leaving Trump and Vance to dominate the party’s direction.

This new dynamic is forcing Republicans to confront their past inconsistencies. During Trump’s first term, GOP leaders often paid lip service to his populist platform while pushing establishment priorities, frustrating the base. Now, with Democrats suing to block DOGE’s $55 billion in cuts and judges stalling Trump’s moves—like a Monday block on Education Department records—Republicans face a stark choice: fall in line or risk alienating voters. Peterson highlights Vance’s strategic approach, noting his CPAC speech last week emphasized unity behind Trump’s vision, from border security to energy dominance.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Biden’s deficits ballooned the national debt past $35 trillion, and his open-border policies let 8.5 million illegal immigrants cross, per CBP data, while wages stagnated and cities buckled under migrant strain. Trump’s January 20 “emergency price relief” memorandum and DOGE’s aggressive audit signal the fix—secure borders, slash waste, and prioritize Americans. Vance’s influence ensures no RINO retreat, with his office quietly pressuring lawmakers to back Trump’s picks, like Colby, over establishment favorites.

Posts on X reflect the tension—one user wrote, “Vance is the enforcer Trump needed—GOP better wake up.” Another added, “No more RINOs—Trump’s second term means results, not excuses.” This grassroots pressure mirrors the 2024 election’s mandate, where voters demanded action, not talk. Vance’s role, bolstered by his youth and vigor at 40, contrasts with the old guard’s complacency, making him a key player in keeping the party on track.

Republicans know aligning with Trump and Vance is non-negotiable. DOGE’s forensic audit, Congress pushing reconciliation bills, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s deportation raids show the GOP’s commitment to results. With over 70 lawsuits challenging Trump’s initiatives, this loyalty test is a fight for the party’s soul. Conservatives are ready to back Trump and Vance, ensuring the GOP delivers the prosperity, security, and efficiency voters demanded in 2024, leaving no room for the old tricks of the past.