Trump withdraws endorsement of Colorado Rep. Jeff Hurd, cites ‘lack of support’ on tariffs

President Donald Trump on Saturday withdrew his support for Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado, who has criticized the president’s tariff policies.

“Due to a lack of support, especially for the incredibly successful TARIFFS imposed on foreign countries and corporations that have made America richer, stronger, bigger and better than ever, I hereby WITHDRAW my support for RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd,” Trump said in a Truth Social article on Saturday.

Trump added that he instead supports Hurd’s Republican opponent, Hope Scheppelman.

Scheppleman thanked Trump for his support in a social media post, writing, “I just want to help President Trump repair the damage Biden and the Democrats have done to our economy and our country, and I won’t rest until we finish making America affordable again for working families.” »

Hurd’s office did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment on the president’s announcement.

Trump initially endorsed Hurd in October, saying at the time that the congressman was “fighting tirelessly to keep our now very secure border SECURE, support our incredible military/veterans, advance America’s energy DOMINANCE, grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, promote MADE IN THE USA, defend our still-embattled Second Amendment, and ensure PEACE THROUGH FORCE.” »

Hurd was one of six Republican House members to vote to end Trump’s tariffs on Canada on February 11.

Following the vote, Trump said in a message that Republican congressmen who opposed his tariffs would face political retaliation.

“Any Republican, in the House or Senate, who votes against TARIFFS will face serious consequences come election time, and that includes primaries! Trump said on Truth Social as the House voted last week.

Hurd maintained his House vote in a social media post that supported the Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn most of Trump’s tariff policies.

“I share President Trump’s goal of ensuring fair, reciprocal trade and protecting American industry. Tariffs can be a useful tool when applied strategically,” Hurd said in Friday’s article. “But today’s decision underscores the need for Congress to play its rightful role on trade policy.”

Scheppelman criticized Hurd for his vote against the tariffs, writing in a Friday X article: “@RepJeffHurd and liberal judges should support President Trump and the American people, not work against them. »

The president said in his Saturday message that he had only withdrawn his support once before, when he resumed his support for Rep. Mo Brooks in the 2022 Alabama Senate election.

However, Trump also withdrew the support of former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., in November. Greene, who built her agenda in Congress on MAGA ideology and was a strong supporter of Trump, began criticizing him last year for the delay in releasing the Epstein files and the administration’s support for Israel.

Greene announced her resignation from Congress shortly after Trump withdrew support for her re-election campaign.

“Withdrawing an endorsement is a difficult decision for me,” Trump said in his message Saturday.

Scheppelman, who Trump is now supporting for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, is a Navy veteran and a former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party, according to her campaign website. She also had a 35-year career in health care.

“I hope Scheppelman has my complete and total support to be the next Representative for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and, unlike RINO Jeff Hurd, HOPE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” » Trump said in his message.

Trump said in his message that Hurd was “more interested in protecting foreign countries that have been defrauding us for decades than the United States of America.”

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling Friday reversing most of Trump’s tariff policies, the president also suggested the Supreme Court’s decision was influenced by foreign interests.

“I think foreign interests are represented by people who I think have undue influence,” the president said at a news conference Friday. “They have a lot of influence on the Supreme Court, whether it’s out of fear or respect or friendship, I don’t know.”