President Trump accused Rep. Thomas Massie of grandstanding with opposition to his “massive, stunning invoice” and stated voters ought to punish him.
The president, who was on the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to sway Home Republicans to again his invoice, stated Mr. Massie must be “voted out of workplace.”
“I don’t assume Thomas Massie understands authorities,” Mr. Trump stated. “I feel he’s a grandstander, frankly.”
“In case you ask him a few questions, he by no means offers you a solution, he simply says, ‘I’m a no.’ He thinks he’s going to get publicity.”
Mr. Massie, Kentucky Republican, shrugged off the specter of a main problem.
“I’m not anxious. I imply, I’m not anxious about shedding,” stated Mr. Massie, who was focused within the 2024 GOP main and simply received with 76% of the vote.
He has been vocal towards the invoice, a large bundle of tax cuts and spending cuts which are the center of Mr. Trump’s legislative agenda. He advised CNN earlier Tuesday that the invoice is “a joke” as a result of the White Home says the invoice received’t increase the nation’s deficit.
Mr. Massie wasn’t budging from his opposition to the invoice, however he stated Mr. Trump doubtless swayed some GOP holdouts within the closed-door assembly.
“He most likely did a reasonably good job in there, like, if his job was to go in there and persuade the Freedom Caucus and the blue-state Republicans, I feel he did a superb job,” Mr. Massie stated. “He made an honest effort at convincing me.”
Earlier than the assembly, Mr. Trump stated he doesn’t discuss to Mr. Massie anymore.
The president has spoken out towards Mr. Massie earlier than, saying in March he would “lead the cost” to seek out somebody to fill his Home seat.
Mr. Massie has been a giant opponent of the stopgap payments to fund the federal authorities.
“Congressman Thomas Massie, of gorgeous Kentucky, is an automated ‘NO’ vote on nearly every thing, even supposing he has all the time voted for Persevering with Resolutions previously,” Mr. Trump stated on social media in March. “HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I’ll lead the cost towards him. He’s simply one other GRANDSTANDER, who’s an excessive amount of hassle, and never definitely worth the combat.”