Republican strategists are sounding alarm bells over what they view as a major misstep by President Donald Trump, claiming he is inadvertently sabotaging his own party as midterm elections approach.

Late Thursday, a lawsuit filed in Alaska by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward drew ire from within GOP ranks. The suit seeks to delay the certification of the upcoming election results if a Republican candidate does not prevail.

In a move critics are calling desperate, the lawsuit claims that a candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan is a “spoiler,” intentionally designed to confuse voters. If the election shows that incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan (R-Alaska) did not win due to votes cast for Danny J. Sullivan, Trump’s administration aims to pause certification to investigate potential voter confusion.

Legal analysts have quickly dismissed the lawsuit as an unusual “Hail Mary,” comparing it to the controversial tactics seen during the chaotic 2000 Florida presidential election, known for issues like “hanging chads” and mistaken votes.

At a recent event in Florida, Trump openly boasted, “I’m the one that said do it,” acknowledging his role in initiating the lawsuit.

However, many Republicans aren’t echoing Trump’s sentiments. Some have branded the legal action as politically foolish, sparking intense criticism among party insiders.

Ben Ginsberg, a prominent Republican election lawyer and former counsel to President George W. Bush, labeled the move as “a real desperation play,” emphasizing its lack of legal foundation.

Gabriel Sterling, a former senior election official in Georgia, reinforced this sentiment, stating, “By talking about stolen elections and cheating, they’re suppressing their own vote and encouraging votes against them. Tactically, it’s politically moronic.”

Sterling explained that messaging from Trump suggesting the election could be rigged undermines Republican voter turnout, leading to apathy among supporters who might believe their votes won’t matter.

Instead of rallying the base, such rhetoric appears to backfire, giving Democratic voters an incentive to show up at the polls. Sterling added that Trump’s legal maneuvers might also be laying groundwork to claim a lost election was a result of court failures.

Inside GOP circles, opinions are mixed regarding Trump’s latest legal endeavors. While some party members remain assertive about their strategies, others express hesitation to align with Trump’s actions.

A Georgia Republican official, who requested anonymity, dismissed the claims against election integrity, stating, “I think there’s zero credible way for any entity, much less the DOJ, to say that the election results in Georgia are suspect.”

Despite pushing back, many Republican officials remained silent on the issue. Politico reached out to various statewide election officials, finding that several declined to comment while others did not respond.

Former Arizona election official Stephen Richer, also a Republican, noted that the political landscape poses real risks for those opposing Trump, suggesting that resistance could threaten the careers of party members.

“The survival rate politically of people who oppose Donald Trump on this issue is not great if you’re Republican,” Richer remarked, highlighting the difficult position many face.

The growing dissent within the party underscores a critical moment as Republicans brace for elections. While Trump aims to solidify his narrative and arm supporters with claims of a rigged system, party loyalty and electoral strategy appear to conflict.

As the elections draw closer, the tension within the GOP could have significant ramifications. Will the party unite behind Trump’s strategies, or will internal divisions weaken their electoral chances?

Only time will tell if Trump’s controversial moves further alienate mainstream Republicans or galvanize a fervent base ready to rally against perceived injustices.