President Trump has stopped beating up on Republicans in Congress ahead of critical midterm elections, among the few instances in which the unconventional populist has embraced the role of traditional party leader.

Trump’s benevolence has extended to Republicans who have opposed elements of his agenda, delivering crucial endorsements that protected them from primary challengers running as “MAGA” loyalists. The unexpected detente, after Trump spent most of 2017 publicly undercutting House and Senate Republicans, could be a pivotal development in the party’s fight to preserve its power in November.