Congressional GOP beginning to accept Trump as nominee

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally on April 28 in Costa Mesa, Calif. AP

WASHINGTON—Congressional Republicans are beginning to accept, and even embrace, an outcome that was once unthinkable: Donald Trump as the GOP presidential nominee.

In the wake of the businessman’s commanding wins in five Eastern states this week, a growing number of lawmakers say that Trump is taking on an air of inevitability.

Some argue they should get behind him now instead of trying to stand in his way, as some establishment Republicans are still attempting to do by backing various “Never Trump” efforts.

For some lawmakers, supporting Trump may be seen as their only hope of stopping the Democrats’ likely candidate, Hillary Clinton, from winning in November. Backing the billionaire businessman also could keep the White House and the opportunity to fill Supreme Court vacancies out of Democratic hands.