How to Work with Liberals?

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting in this subreddit, and I'm looking for some advice. I'm trying to navigate managing my Republican views in a very left-leaning company with liberal colleagues. I really enjoy my work, and my coworkers are great overall. I’ve always been aware of their left-leaning perspectives.

I’ve been with this company for three years, and I haven’t had many issues—just a few debates over gun laws with two very liberal coworkers who have since left my work area. However, recent events, like an ICE raid in our city and the ongoing discussions surrounding Trump’s downsizing, have led to more political talk at work. It's especially prominent because I work in research, and with the recent controversies around NIH funding and RFK Jr. being head of HHS these topics are now part of conversations.

To be upfront, I’m not sure if I agree with cutting NIH funding, especially because my job is funded through grants that come from these sources, and the cancer research I do offers vital treatment options where there are currently very few. However, I do agree there is a lot of wasteful government spending, as highlighted by figures like Elon Musk and his DOGE team. But the prospect of cuts to NIH funding is concerning, even for me. I voted for Trump and trust his leadership, but I can’t fully get behind everything that’s being proposed in these areas and maybe it's because I don't fully understand what's happening.

Regarding my coworkers, I feel outnumbered and a bit isolated because I don’t share their views. For instance, during a coffee break today, the conversation turned to how disgusted everyone was with Trump’s actions, and I found myself just sitting there quietly, scrolling on my phone. I’m not an expert on politics or policies, so I don’t feel confident enough to voice a different opinion, but I also don’t want to feel like I have to sit alone during lab lunches or morning coffee hangouts. I know as time goes on, more of these conversations will come up, and I’m not sure how to handle them without feeling like I have to withdraw from group events altogether.

Any advice on how to manage these situations without feeling out of place would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!