Former Trump Official Clashes with Arkansas GOP Over Prison Proposal

Sarah Huckabee Sanders faces opposition from fellow Republicans over $825 million prison project

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former White House press secretary under President Trump and current governor of Arkansas, is facing backlash from some Republican state senators over her push to build the state's largest prison at a cost of $825 million. The senators, including Bryan King and Ronald Caldwell, have criticized the project's high price tag and lack of supporting infrastructure in the rural area. In response, Sanders has targeted the two senators for ouster in the Republican primaries.

Why it matters

This clash highlights the growing ideological divides within the Republican party, as Sanders, a rising conservative star, clashes with more fiscally conservative members of her own party over the costly prison proposal. It also raises questions about the balance of power between the governor's office and the legislature in Arkansas.

The details

Sanders, who was President Trump's White House press secretary, has returned to Arkansas and become the state's first female governor. She is now pushing for an $825 million project to build the state's largest prison, which would create 3,000 new beds in a rural area with limited infrastructure. Republican state senators Bryan King and Ronald Caldwell have criticized the high cost of the project and the lack of supporting infrastructure, such as unpaved roads and inadequate water supply. In response, Sanders has targeted the two senators for removal in the Republican primaries.

  • In 2023, a devastating tornado hit the area where the proposed prison would be located.
  • On Tuesday, Republican primaries will be held in Arkansas, where Sanders is seeking to oust the two GOP senators opposing her prison proposal.

The players

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The current governor of Arkansas and former White House press secretary under President Trump, who is pushing for the construction of an $825 million prison in the state.

Bryan King

A Republican state senator in Arkansas who has been critical of the high cost of the prison proposal and Sanders' leadership, describing her as moving away from fiscal responsibility and conservatism.

Ronald Caldwell

A Republican state senator in Arkansas who has generally supported Sanders but opposes the prison proposal due to its high cost, as well as her education and private-school tuition voucher program and efforts to restrict the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Bart Hester

The top-ranking Republican state senator in Arkansas, who has accused Senator King of opposing the prison proposal due to Sanders being a "young, successful female leading the state".

Trey Bohannan

The preferred opponent of Senator Caldwell, who has framed the election as a loyalty test to Sanders and her agenda.

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What they’re saying

“I've remained the same since 2006 when I went in, which is about fiscal responsibility and conservatism, which unfortunately is dead with this governor.”

— Bryan King, Republican State Senator (New York Times)

“Bart Hester is a liar, and he's a hypocrite.”

— Bryan King, Republican State Senator (New York Times)

“The system has set up that there are three separate branches of government, and I think that's where we should be. It's not a personal thing at all.”

— Ronald Caldwell, Republican State Senator (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This clash between Sanders and her fellow Republicans highlights the growing ideological divides within the party, as the former Trump official pushes a tough-on-crime agenda that clashes with more fiscally conservative members of the GOP. It also raises questions about the balance of power between the governor's office and the legislature in Arkansas.