The Republican Party’s civil war quickly escalated this week as Trump tries to maintain control of the party and prevent his supporters from donating to the Republican National Committee. Meanwhile, every last Republican in Congress refused to listen to the majority of Republican voters and voted against providing the help they need.

Here are three steps to how Trump just escalated the GOP civil war and “accelerated his effort to wring power from the Republican Party:”

Step 1: Trump issues a cease and desist letter to the RNC.

NBC News: “Attorneys for former President Donald Trump sent cease-and-desist letters Friday to three Republican organizations asking them to stop using the former president’s name and likeness in fundraising appeals and merchandise, a Trump adviser said Saturday.”

Step 2: The RNC denies Trump’s demands.

Politico: “The Republican National Committee is denying a cease-and-desist demand from Donald Trump’s attorneys, who asked the party organization to stop using the former president’s name and likeness in fundraising appeals.”

Step 3: Trump tells his supporters to donate to him, not the RNC.

The Hill: “Former President Trump encouraged donors to give money to his Save America PAC instead of to Republicans he dubbed ‘RINOS’ in another departure from traditional GOP campaign operations.”

Meanwhile…

Republican lawmakers are out of touch with their voters, and refused to listen to them by unanimously voting against their wishes.

The Hill: “GOP votes in unison against COVID-19 relief bill”

Morning Consult: “In the new survey, conducted Feb. 26 to March 1, 77 percent of all voters and 59 percent of Republicans said they supported the measure which provides direct payments to some Americans, extends enhanced unemployment benefits through July and provides funding for state and local governments as well as K-12 schools and universities.”