Dozens of former White House officials have reportedly quit the Republican Party, claiming it has become a 'Trump cult'.
Staff who worked in former President George W. Bush's administration were said to be disappointed by the lack of people in the party willing to reject the recently ousted president following the US Capitol riots last month.
They had hoped that following Joe Biden's election, the Republican Party would be able to move away from the previous administration and the spurious claims of election fraud.
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However, many politicians within the party have opted to side with Trump.
According to Reuters, this has left many officials feeling as if they no longer recognise the party they joined.
Kristopher Purcell, who worked in the Bush White House's communications office for six years, said between 60 and 70 former Bush officials have decided to cut their ties with the Republican Party - a number that he says is only growing.
Jimmy Gurulé was Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the Bush administration.
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He said: "The Republican Party as I knew it no longer exists. I'd call it the cult of Trump."
The in-party turmoil is all taking place within the context of a second impeachment for Trump over his alleged 'incitement of insurrection' last month.
Five people died as a result of the attack at the Capitol, with two police officers having killed themselves in the aftermath.
Rosario Marin, a former Treasurer of the US under Bush, said if things continue the way they are and Trump isn't punished for his alleged part in the attack, she will have no choice but to take a stand.
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She told Reuters: "Unless the Senate convicts him, and rids themselves of the Trump cancer, many of us will not be going back to vote for Republican leaders."
Speaking to the Fox Business channel, the chair of the Republican National Committee previously said: "We're having a little bit of a spat right now. But we are going to come together. We have to."
This comes after the House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort last week after previously criticising him over the US Capitol attack, saying afterwards he and Trump are 'united and ready to win in '22'.
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Following the meeting, Trump's political action committee released a statement, which claimed his popularity had 'never been stronger'.
It read: "The meeting between President Donald J. Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, was a very good and cordial one.
"They discussed many topics number one of which was taking back the House in 2022. President Trump's popularity has never been stronger than it is today, and his endorsement means more than perhaps any endorsement at any time."
Adding: "President Trump has agreed to work with Leader McCarthy on helping the Republican Party become a majority in the House.
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"They worked very well together in the last election and picked up at least 15 seats when most predicted it would be the opposite. They will do so again, and the work has already started."
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