Trump targets dissenting Republicans

Bs_logoImage
AFP Washington
Last Updated : Mar 30 2017 | 9:02 PM IST
President Donald Trump lashed out a rebellious conservatives today, threatening to "fight them" in 2018 legislative elections if they "don't get on the team."
Deepening a fissure that destroyed his first major effort to pass a law, Trump took aim at members of the so-called "Freedom Caucus," branding them as a foe in the same vein as Democrats.
"The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!" Trump tweeted.
Trump's characteristically strong-handed approach is another effort to bring the fiercely conservative group, which has repeatedly voted against Republican leaders in Congress, into line.
Most of the group of 30 House Republicans rejected a previous White House ultimatum to vote for Trump's health care reform, delivered the new president a stinging political defeat.
The Freedom Caucus has long been a thorn in the side of Republican leaders. But during eight years of a Democratic White House, their differences with mainstream Republicans were contained.
With Republicans now in charge of the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate, those ideological differences have again come to the fore.
If they choose to, the Freedom Caucus could make Trump's life difficult in upcoming budget and tax debates.
If they decide to oppose the White House, Trump will be unable to lose any other Republican votes and may even need to court Democratic votes to pass his initiatives.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

You’ve hit your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Already subscribed? Log in

Subscribe to read the full story →
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 30 2017 | 9:02 PM IST