A growing group of Republicans has challenged President Donald Trump, opposed elements of his administration’s agenda, or reduced his prominence in campaign messaging ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The disagreements do not amount to a single, organized revolt against the president, but come as several GOP candidates fight for their political lives against a groundswell of momentum for Democratic hopefuls. Several Republicans who have broken with the president on certain issues continue to support Trump, retain his endorsement and agree with much of his agenda.
The breaks with Trump vary in scope. Some have opposed policies or called for an end to the Iran war, while others have challenged his authority, scrutinized his family or played down his endorsement. Newsweek reached out to the Republicans mentioned in this article by email on Wednesday morning.
The largest group of Republicans to break with the president has been over the Iran war. Some lawmakers have supported congressional efforts to end the conflict. Some candidates in competitive elections have called for an end to the war because of its effect on fuel prices and household costs.
Other Republicans have pushed back on the president over issues like immigration enforcement, tariffs on agricultural imports, foreign business dealings involving the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and the prominence of Trump’s endorsement in campaign messaging. The most direct Republican challenges to Trump have come through congressional efforts to restrict what they call unauthorized military action against Iran. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie backed a House war-powers resolution directing Trump to end unauthorized military action against Iran.
Massie has been one of the most consistent Republican critics of Trump and has often drawn the president's ire. Trump backed a primary challenge to Massie by Ed Gallrein, who went on to win the nomination in May. Massie has regularly criticized Trump for his military action in Iran being conducted without congressional approval.
He was among the original four House Republicans to cross party lines and support the effort to end the war in Iran. Massie’s position reflects his longstanding noninterventionist approach and his view that Congress must authorize sustained military conflict. Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick also supported the House effort to require an end to unauthorized military action against Iran.
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