President-elect Donald Trump, even before taking office, is already threatening to run primary challenges against Republicans who do not align with his demands. On his Truth Social platform, Trump launched a scathing attack on Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who has resisted Trump’s call to eliminate the debt ceiling as part of a deal to keep the government open.
“The very unpopular ‘Congressman’ from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory – All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Republican obstructionists have to be done away with. The Democrats are using them, and we can’t let that happen.” Trump didn’t stop there, continuing to undermine Roy’s political acumen. “Weak and ineffective people like Chip have to be dismissed as being utterly unknowledgeable as to the ways of politics, and as to Making America Great Again,” Trump added, disparaging the Texas lawmaker’s ability to navigate the political landscape.
Trump followed up with another post, once again targeting Roy. “Chip Roy is just another ambitious guy, with no talent,” Trump wrote, implying that Roy’s political career was built more on personal ambition than on any real capability.
“By the way, how’s Bob Good doing? I hope some talented challengers are getting ready in the Great State of Texas to go after Chip in the Primary. He won’t have a chance!” Trump’s comments suggested that he believed Roy’s time in Congress might be coming to an end, with a possible primary challenge on the horizon.
The president-elect’s posts reflect the rising tension within the Republican Party as some members, like Roy, push back against Trump’s more aggressive policy demands, particularly regarding the debt ceiling. Trump’s aggressive rhetoric signals that he is already positioning himself as a dominant figure in GOP politics, willing to take on party members who do not fall in line with his agenda.