before the declaration, senate majority leader mitch mcconnell—long a defender of senate prerogatives—and most other senate republicans strongly urged the president to not take the action. after the declaration, mcconnell led several other senators in pivoting to support it. senator lindsey graham expressed emphatic support for the declaration. georgia senator johnny isakson said he "support[s] the president in his decision," and richard shelby said trump has "the power to defend the country, to defend the borders." senator john hoeven stated that republicans "support the president's efforts to strengthen border security," and senator kevin cramer said that trump "will address the crisis at the southern border, whether or not congress does." representative matt gaetz stated that he was "proud" of trump.