GOP grapples with future as Biden administration begins: We'd be better off to 'purge' ourselves of Trump

For many Republican lawmakers, life has changed seemingly overnight with the Democrats now controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress.

The transfer of power with majority shifts is often an awkward and difficult task that lawmakers face after elections, but in the age of Trumpism, this particular election has been quite different from any of those in the past. Now, at an impasse, the Republican Party must decide if it will turn over a new leaf or continue down the dark path Trump embarked on. While some Republican lawmakers are attempting to hold onto what is left of Trumpism, others are urging the political party to move on, according to the Associated Press.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) who has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump on numerous occasions, also weighed in on the moment his party is facing as he referenced former President Ronald Reagan's speech where he discussed "a time for choosing."

"We have to decide if we're going to continue heading down the direction of Donald Trump or if we're going to return to our roots," Hogan, a potential 2024 White House contender, said in an interview.

"The party would be much better off if they were to purge themselves of Donald Trump," he added. "But I don't think there's any hope of him completely going away."

While Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has finally acknowledged President Joe Biden's victory, he still believes Trump will be a prominent figure within the Republican Party. However, he also insists the party should distance from the former president's tone and rhetoric.

"He won the election. He is the president. I just came from his inauguration," Cruz said of the newly-elected president in a recent interview.

Cruz, who is also eyeing another presidential run for the White House in 2024, also said, "President Trump surely will continue to make his views known, and they'll continue to have a real impact, but I think the country going forward wants policies that work, and I think as a party, we need to do a better job winning hearts and minds."

However, there are still many Republicans in denial about the outcome of the election even after Biden's inaugural ceremony.