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President Donald Trump took to Twitter Thursday morning to vow to “fight” members of his own party in the 2018 midterm election.
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!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1490879262.0
Trump aired lingering grievances with the conservative lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus for their rejection of the health care bill he supported, the American Health Care Act. Freedom Caucus members said that the bill did not fully repeal Obamacare, as they had promised their constituents. Republican leadership ultimately pulled the bill when they failed to earn the number of votes they would need in order to pass it.
Although moderate Republicans outside of the Freedom Caucus also objected to aspects of the bill, Trump appeared to lay blame solely on lawmakers in the Freedom Caucus for the bill’s failure.
“The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, [and] fast,” Trump tweeted. “We must fight them, [and Democrats], in 2018!”
Some Twitter users questioned whether showing animosity toward members of his own party would help the president on other aspects of his agenda.
Trump continues to attack members of his own party—members he'll need to pass future legislation. Everything. Is.… https://t.co/phLUjygOTw— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1490879458.0
Trump found someone to fight....conservatives. He's a mainstream Republican after all. https://t.co/WKgqJYfGpp— Drew McCoy (@Drew McCoy) 1490879323.0
From the catch more flies with vinegar school: https://t.co/rkFSl17a9M— Mark Knoller (@Mark Knoller) 1490879577.0
If this backfires, Trump is in big trouble. Without the Freedom Caucus, and without Democrats, no legislation can p… https://t.co/BILBqU2cQE— Brian Klaas (@Brian Klaas) 1490880318.0
Yes, a GOP civil war before the mid-terms. Genius! https://t.co/Bj1MDiH7XJ— Trita Parsi (@Trita Parsi) 1490879998.0
But Trump is a conservative! But but but but... You rubes. https://t.co/xt3a0zgDHY— Rick Wilson (@Rick Wilson) 1490880439.0
what is the strategy here https://t.co/nnjxwJlWE5— ryan teague beckwith (@ryan teague beckwith) 1490880219.0
I would love to see @Reince's face when he reads tweets like this for the first time. https://t.co/KTt9vJeVTY— Greg Pollowitz (@Greg Pollowitz) 1490880218.0
Reminder: Trump said in 2016 that his favorite bible verse was Exodus 21-24: "Eye for an eye" https://t.co/EV6UQRi0es— Dan Merica (@Dan Merica) 1490879667.0
