Another prominent ally of Donald Trump has announced his departure from Congress, as Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls revealed he will not seek re-election to spend more time with his family.
Growing Exodus of Trump Supporters
The Texas lawmaker becomes one of 47 Congress members who have decided against seeking another term, according to data from The Hill. This group includes 20 Democrats and 27 Republicans, marking a significant shift in the congressional landscape.
Nehls made his announcement through a social media post on Saturday 29th November 2025, explaining that his decision came after discussions with his wife and daughters during the Thanksgiving holiday. The representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district since 2021 stated he would "focus on my family and return home after this Congress."
Notable Trump Ally Steps Down
During his time in Congress, Nehls established himself as an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, actively advocating for the former president's immigration agenda. His loyalty extended to proposing legislation that would honour Trump, including co-sponsoring a bill requiring $100 bills to feature Trump's portrait and another that sought to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after the former president.
Before making his decision public, Nehls revealed he had personally contacted Trump to inform him of his plans. "President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first," he wrote in his statement.
Nehls expressed gratitude for his opportunities to serve, stating: "Serving this country in the military, serving our community in law enforcement, and serving this district in Congress has been the honor of my life."
Broader Pattern of Congressional Departures
Nehls' announcement follows closely on the heels of Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation, who declared she would leave Congress prematurely. Greene, once considered a fierce Trump ally, has recently broken with the former president and her party on several key issues including the war in Gaza, health care subsidies, and the handling of the Epstein Files.
The rift became particularly public when Trump labelled Greene a "traitor" after their disagreement over the Epstein Files earlier this month. This represented a dramatic shift from his previous description of her as a "real winner." Greene is scheduled to leave Congress on January 5th.
In her resignation statement, Greene defended her position: "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for."
Other Trump allies departing Congress include Nebraska Republican Don Bacon, who announced in June that he wouldn't seek re-election, citing similar family reasons to Nehls. Texas Republican Jodey Arrington, who sponsored Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" and received the president's endorsement for re-election in 2026, also revealed retirement plans this month.
The exodus extends beyond the House of Representatives, with Senators Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, and Thom Tillis all announcing they don't plan to seek re-election. Meanwhile, some Trump allies like Representatives Elise Stefanik of New York, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Andy Biggs of Arizona have chosen to pursue gubernatorial campaigns instead of congressional re-election bids.
This widespread departure of experienced lawmakers signals a potentially significant transformation in the composition and dynamics of the next Congress, with implications for both legislative priorities and political alliances in the coming years.
