GOP candidates Threading the Needle and Trump Wants to Be Dictator (Surprised? Hope not)

 

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley stood out as the frontrunner of last night's fourth Republican primary debate. Still, she's behind former President Donald Trump, who remains the frontrunner overall and has not participated in the debates, in some polls. These are five takeaways from last night. Gerald Herbert/AP  🎧 The candidates are still "threading the needle" of not criticizing Trump while advocating for themselves as the best person to lead the Republican party, NPR's Ximena Bustillo reports on Up First. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was Trump's most outspoken critic, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to answer whether he thought Trump was mentally fit to hold office. ➡️ Trump and his allies are preparing for an expansion of his powers if he wins the presidency, including more power to crack down in immigration and overhaul the Justice Department.