Trump Now Attacking Members of His Own Party – By Name
If Trump Thinks He Can Successfully Bully Members of His Own Party, Especially After a Massive Defeat, He’s Mistaken
President Donald Trump started Thursday off by attacking the entire Freedom Caucus, the three-dozen or so members of a far right wing House of Representatives group who stood together and effectively blocked – along with every House Democrat – the TrumpCare bill to repeal and “replace” ObamaCare from passing. Just in case they might feel left out, President Trump included all Democrats in his tweet, vowing to fight the 225 or so consortium of Democratic and uber-conservative members of Congress.
And just now, the President, the leader of the Republican Party, having announced a war against his own party, began to call out by name members of the Freedom Caucus.
In two separate tweets, Trump attacked Rep. Mark Meadows, the Freedom Caucus chair, along with Rep. Jim Jordan, and Rep. Raul Labrador, two of the group’s more influential members.
If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017
Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017
The President’s game plan here is uncertain. Freedom Caucus members made clear, by blocking ObamaCare repeal, they’re not afraid of Trump. In fact, well-known Freedom Caucus member Rep. Justin Amash called out and taunted President Trump shortly after his Thursday morning attack:
It didn’t take long for the swamp to drain @realDonaldTrump. No shame, Mr. President. Almost everyone succumbs to the D.C. Establishment. https://t.co/9bDo8yzH7I
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) March 30, 2017
Ands just now, he doubled down:
.@justinamash: “Most people don’t take well to being bullied.” #SpecialReport pic.twitter.com/4TgCuobiKl
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 30, 2017
It’s also unclear why Trump is doing this now. There’s no repeal bill on the table, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he won’t consider one for some time.
If Trump, whose approval rating as of Wednesday dropped to just 35 percent, thinks he can successfully bully members of his own party, especially after a massive defeat, he’s quite mistaken – and everyone knows it.
Trump says he’ll “fight” Freedom Caucus members in 2018. Constituents in Meadows’ district mostly support his opposition to AHCA last week https://t.co/Py8Wxn66DZ
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) March 30, 2017
And in fact, chances are good campaign operatives right now are drafting fundraising emails for every member of the Freedom Caucus, saying, “I stood up to Trump, for you.”Â
Some responses to Trump’s actions today, via Twitter:
Don’t interrupt Trump while he’s committin’ political suicide. Freedom Caucus & Dems is an impeachment majority. https://t.co/ODyjAWHBuU
— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) March 30, 2017
Trump threatens the Freedom Caucus pic.twitter.com/9VU6BLOInL
— Political Capital (@PoliticalLine) March 30, 2017
193 House Dems + 32 Freedom Caucus = 225
Votes needed to get anything thru the House = 216
Trump has Twitter war with his own party. pic.twitter.com/H22wWEVGSN
— RogelioGarcia Lawyer (@LawyerRogelio) March 30, 2017
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