‘People are angry’: House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face backlash at home – CNN
The backlash has turned their 2022 primaries into tests of how long Trump can hold the stage in Republican politics and whether GOP voters are willing to turn the midterms into tests of loyalty to him.
"It started out big and it's still growing. People are angry," said Bryan Miller, the Republican chairman in Wyoming's Sheridan County who said he plans to run against Cheney in the party's 2022 primary. "She's not living up to what we in Wyoming wanted, across the board. And it's a huge betrayal."
Anthony Bouchard, a Wyoming state senator who is also running against Cheney, said he's been "flooded" with messages encouraging a primary run.
"I believe that her impeachment vote revealed who she has allegiance to, and I don't think the voters will forget it any time soon," Bouchard said.
The early seeds of primary trouble for House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump is an illustration of how much loyalty the former President retains within his party, weeks after he departed office and was removed from his favorite social media platforms.
Whether the anger against those 10 lawmakers will survive the next year is far from clear, with congressional districts' makeup certain to shift as states complete the once-a-decade process of redrawing district lines and more than a year for the anger to dissipate and the GOP's focus to move past Trump.
"Each and every one of those 10, when they made that vote, they knew in their heads and in their hearts it was probably a political death sentence. They knew that," said former Rep. Joe Walsh, the conservative Illinois Republican whose 2020 primary against Trump did not gain traction.
He said any establishment donor money that goes to support those 10 GOP lawmakers will be "dwarfed" by money aimed at ousting them.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of them not even run again, depending on how their districts shake out" after redistricting, Walsh said.
Trump has been showing allies a poll of Wyoming voters commissioned by his super PAC and conducted by Trump's longtime pollster John McLaughlin to make the case that Cheney's vote on impeachment is not popular among Republicans there, a source told CNN. His super PAC also issued a news release highlighting the poll.
Donald Trump Jr. called into Gaetz's event and said Cheney should be ousted in next year's primary.
"It's time to have a change at the top. It's time to have people that are going to start representing the people -- not their own agendas, not their own nonsense, but their constituency," he said. "And since the people of Wyoming are clearly not thrilled with Liz Cheney, let's find someone who can replace her and actually do that job well."
The Republicans who voted to impeach Trump have all defended their votes by saying they were a matter of principle after Trump encouraged attendees at a January 6 rally to march on the US Capitol -- which led to the deadly riot that afternoon.
Amid the complications of primary challenges against House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump is the potential that -- like in Wyoming -- multiple candidates could enter primaries, fracturing the opposition to vulnerable Republican incumbents.
Still, the impeachment vote has led some state and local parties, as well as major donors, to say that they are dropping their support for those Republicans -- for good.
In Washington, the state's Republican Central Committee passed a resolution condemning Trump's impeachment "without question or exception" and expressing disappointment at Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler, two of the 10 Republicans who voted in favor of impeachment.
The Clark County Republican Women's Group sent a letter to Herrera Beutler explicitly saying it would recruit and back a primary challenger.
The letter said that "this vote will never be forgotten, as your action is a personal affront to the 70 million plus Americans who voted for our President."
In Michigan, the Allegan County Republican Party censured Rep. Fred Upton for his vote, saying that he "betrayed oath of office and core values" of the county party.
Tom Norton, the third-place finisher in a 2020 primary won by Rep. Peter Meijer in western Michigan, said he is running again and appeared on former Trump adviser Steve Bannon's podcast two weeks ago.
Gene Koprowski -- who launched a primary bid against Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of the GOP's most outspoken Trump critics -- named the campaign committee he created on January 14 "Impeach Adam Kinzinger 2022."
The "issues" page on the website launched by former Fresno city councilman Chris Mathys, who says he'll take on Rep. David Valadao in California, contains just three sentences, all targeting Valadao's impeachment vote: "President Trump has fought in our behalf to protect our conservative republican values. It is unbelievable that congressman David Valadao would for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. I will do everything to restore our conservative values as a conservative republican."
Ken Richardson, the chairman of the school board in South Carolina's Horry County, said he'd long thought he might run for Rice's 7th Congressional District years down the road.
"I didn't know that Tom was going to shoot himself in the foot. But he's done that," Richardson said. "To say I'm getting calls would be an understatement."
He called Rice "a nice guy" and noted that Rice had been to barbecues at his house.
"But the county that we live in right now -- 71% of the people voted for Donald Trump. And if you're the congressman for this area, you've got to understand, that's not Tom Rice's seat and it's not Ken Richardson's seat. That seat belongs to the people," Richardson said.
Those considering primary runs said they have already heard from major Republican donors -- and are convinced that GOP primary voters' anger toward those who voted to impeach Trump will ease before the 2022 primaries.
"I do not think this is going to dissipate," Miller said.
Richardson said: "There's no doubt in my mind it's going to last way past the election."
This story has been updated Saturday with additional reporting.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins and David Wright contributed to this story.
Original post:
'People are angry': House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face backlash at home - CNN
- Republican senators break ranks to call for investigation of Signal leak scandal - The Guardian US - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the US House, has died - The Associated Press - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican Abortion Laws Are Torturing Women. Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis? - The Texas Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Texas Republican Introduces Bill to Address the Nonexistent Problem of Furries in Schools - Them - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican party committees lead in cumulative fundraising as of second finance deadline of the 2026 election cycle - Ballotpedia News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Theres a tug-of-war in the Republican party over Waltzs Signal chat - POLITICO - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Trumps job cuts are causing Republican angst as all parties face backlash - The Conversation - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Key Republican says savings goal for Trump agenda bill can be reached without cutting Medicaid benefits - POLITICO - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The NYS Senate Republican Conference Demands Changes to Discovery Law be Included in State Budget - THE WELLSVILLE SUN - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the US House, has died - ABC News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Could California voters be warming to the idea of a Republican governor in 2026? - Sacramento Bee - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Mia Love, First Black Republican Woman Elected to Congress, Dies at 49 - The New York Times - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Republican candidate for Canonsburg-based magistrate race removed from ballot - Observer-Reporter - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- UnitedHealthcare 'Pushing' Boundaries of Medicare Fraud, Republican Says - Newsweek - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Inside a heated town hall where a Nebraska Republican faced backlash over Trump's policies - PBS NewsHour - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Who's running in Olive Branch? A look at the Republican primary ballot and contested races - Commercial Appeal - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- A Republican-backed bill would upend voter registration. Here are 8 things to know - NPR - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- With Anderson likely heading to D.C., Republican Party of Virginia could pick a new chair next month - Virginia Mercury - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Sins of the past do not budge Republican Senate from voting to end DEI in higher ed - Kentucky Lantern - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Full-Year Continuing Resolution - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican Continuing Resolution Raises Housing Costs for Hardworking Americans - House Committee on Appropriations | - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Tariffs Offer Latest Example of Trump Remaking the Republican Party | Opinion - Newsweek - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- How the White House hired Republican political firms to launch an anti-migrant ad campaign - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Contentious Republican town halls are going viral - The Verge - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- They live in Californias Republican districts. They feel betrayed by looming health care cuts - CalMatters - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican threats push DC to begin removing "Black Lives Matter" plaza from street near White House - Milwaukee Independent - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Vindman pushes for no pay during shutdown, criticizes Republican bill and executive orders - CBS19 News - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Some Republican lawmakers have concerns about Elon Musk and DOGE. Here's what they've said - The Associated Press - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Republican leadership tells party to stop holding public events what impact will that have? - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DeLauro Releases Fact Sheet on Republican Funding Bill that Accelerates the Stealing of Taxpayer Funds from American Families and Businesses - House... - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Berkeley Talks: Heather Cox Richardson on the evolution of the Republican Party and what gives her hope for America - UC Berkeley - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Trump administration briefing: US backs Russia ahead of G7, Republican spending bill boosts defense - The Guardian US - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Sen. Dan Thatcher is leaving Utahs Republican Party to break the deadlock in politics - Salt Lake Tribune - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Republican-led bill would limit investors to 2,000 homes in Georgia - WABE 90.1 FM - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Analysis | The Republican governor leading states response to Trump - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Opinion | The Houses Republican edge is gone. But the gerrymander lives. - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- DOGE firings provoke heated confrontations, shouts of Nazi, at Republican town halls - Los Angeles Times - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Record Surge in Republican Satisfaction With State of Nation - Gallup.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Senator Murray Raises Alarm Over Looming Republican Cuts to Medicaid, with Health Care Workers in Central and Eastern WA - Senator Patty Murray - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET REPRESENTS THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries - Congressman Hakeem... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Police forces lean Republican, but partisan politics dont greatly influence officer actions - PsyPost - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universities funding over DEI ban - The Texas Tribune - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- There appears to be one Republican serious about fixing government spending | Opinion - USA TODAY - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Is it true Republican tax cuts are the biggest federal debt driver since 2001? - Austin American-Statesman - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Republican Men and Women Are Changing Their Minds About How Women Should Behave - The New York Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Trump And Republican Budget May Drain Medicaid To Pay For Huge Tax Cut - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Congresswoman Betty McCollum: I Will Vote No on the Republican Budget Scheme - Betty McCollum - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Joe Wilson announces plan to propose $250 bill featuring Trump - Fox News - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The Republican House Budget Resolution's Potential $880 Billion in Medicaid Cuts by Congressional District - Center For American Progress - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET RESOLUTION WILL SET IN MOTION THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries -... - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What's in the House Republican budget bill? | The Excerpt - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Heres Whats in the House Republican Budget and What Comes Next - The New York Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Rep. Carbajal on the House Passing the Republican Budget That Slashes Funding for Medicaid and SNAP - Salud Carbajal - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Republican Heather Hill, Appalachian entrepreneur, is inspired by tragedies to run for Ohio governor - Washington Times - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Warren Davidson is the latest Republican to oppose the House budget - POLITICO - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- What is in the just-passed House Republican budget bill? What to know - USA TODAY - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Evers takes his budget on the road. Will Republican lawmakers hear from voters? - Wisconsin Examiner - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- A Georgia Republican known for her `Jesus, Guns and Babies' slogan is running for Congress - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The end of USAID? For this Republican aid expert, it's too early to tell - Devex - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- AARP Makes the Republican Case for Adding a Caregiver Tax Credit - ThinkAdvisor - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Republican lawmaker is fundraising off petition to 'arrest and deport' Rep. Ilhan Omar to Somalia - New York Post - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- The Republican war on science takes a drastic turn for the worse - MSNBC - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Another Republican senator goes against Trump's 'poorly conceived' NIH funding cuts - ABC News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- As an Elected Republican Who Believes in the Rapture, This Is My Chance to Shine - McSweeney's Internet Tendency - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Hochul Halts Bill Aimed at Weakening Republican Control of House - The New York Times - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- We are witnessing the rise of a new Republican Southern Strategy - The Guardian US - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- State Democratic and Republican party chairs look forward to governors race - GBH News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- John Jagler Talks Republican Bill Aiming To Reverse DPI Standards - Daily Dodge - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- House Republican schemes to deprive millions of women of voting rights - People's World - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Senator launches investigation into Jason Krasley, who landed a job at a top sex-abuse watchdog but was recently charged with sex abuse -... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Jeff Kaufmann reelected to lead Republican Party of Iowa - Iowa Public Radio - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican AGs back Trump federal employee buyout as judge decides 'Fork in the Road' directive's fate - Fox Business - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Club of Longboat Key ready to kick off 2025 year with first event - Your Observer - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican Veterans in Congress Are Privately Lobbying Trump on Resettling Afghan Allies - NOTUS - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Meet 'Republican hair': It's blonde, bouncy, and really doesn't have a political party - Business Insider - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Republican state AGs back Trump birthright citizenship order in court filing: 'Taxpayers are on the hook' - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Opinion: Trump didnt break the Republican Party. He harnessed it. - Salt Lake Tribune - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- NEW: Republican Reconciliation Bill Could Slash Medicaid Benefits for 22 Million Americans to Extend Tax Cuts for Billionaires - Democrats.org - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- DEI not to blame in crash, says top Republican overseeing FAA - POLITICO - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Two reasons why a Republican could win this years race for governor | Moran - NJ.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]