Trump Threatens House Freedom Caucus: Get On-Board or Get Voted Out

The art of the deal may be effective, but it certainly isn’t pretty. Trump lost his first legislative battle — largely due to conservative defectors — and now he’s demanding consequences. But he’s giving them one last chance.

President Donald Trump sent a blunt warning Thursday morning to the Freedom Caucus, demanding the House GOP group that blocked the Obamacare repeal bill stop fighting the ‘Republican agenda’.

Trump posted to Twitter, “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!”

“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 (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

The tweet followed one on Monday by Trump attacking the Freedom Caucus, “The Republican House Freedom Caucus was able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. After so many bad years they were ready for a win!”

This threat can either unite the party or splinter its ability to govern. Trump has been known to take risks, and threatening the House Freedom Caucus may be his biggest yet, but most of his bets end up paying off in the end.

Wikipedia has an unofficial list of Freedom Caucus members:

The House Freedom Caucus does not disclose the names of its members.[31] In the current (115th) Congress, the group has about three dozen members.[31] A number of members have identified themselves, or have been identified by others, as members of the Freedom Caucus, as of March 2017 including:

Mark Meadows of North Carolina, Chairman, 2017–present[32][31] Justin Amash of Michigan[32] Brian Babin of Texas[33] Joe Barton of Texas[34] Andy Biggs of Arizona[35] Rod Blum of Iowa[33] Dave Brat of Virginia[36] Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma[37] Mo Brooks of Alabama[38][39] Ken Buck of Colorado[40] Warren Davidson of Ohio[41] Ron DeSantis of Florida[32] Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee[42] Jeff Duncan of South Carolina[43] Trent Franks of Arizona[40] Tom Garrett Jr. of Virginia[44] Louie Gohmert of Texas[34] Paul Gosar of Arizona[45] Morgan Griffith of Virginia[4] Andy Harris of Maryland[33] Jody Hice of Georgia[46] Jim Jordan of Ohio,[32] Chairman, 2015–2017[47] Raúl Labrador of Idaho[32] Alex Mooney of West Virginia[33] Thomas Massie of Kentucky[48] Gary Palmer of Alabama[37] Steve Pearce of New Mexico[40] Scott Perry of Pennsylvania[33] Bill Posey of Florida[33] Mark Sanford of South Carolina[33] David Schweikert of Arizona[40] Randy Weber of Texas[49] Ted Yoho of Florida[49]

Rep. Ted Poe of Texas recently quit the Freedom Caucus over their stand against the Obamacare repeal bill.

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 (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

The Republican House Freedom Caucus was able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. After so many bad years they were ready for a win!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2017

I understand the President’s frustration. I share that frustration w/ a swamp refusing to repeal Obamacare. I am on board for actual repeal.

— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) March 30, 2017

Trump’s latest Tweets on the Freedom Caucus where he calls out members:

Great op-ed from @RepKenBuck. Looks like some in the Freedom Caucus are helping me end #Obamacare. https://t.co/Y2vTnIBTBZ

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

Source: The Gateway Pundit, wikipedia