REPORT: GOP Lawmaker Criticized for Remarks About Trump
An Ohio Republican is facing backlash after making comments critical of former President Donald Trump during a recent meeting with local business leaders. His remarks have sparked anger among some conservatives, who see them as a betrayal.
At a business luncheon hosted by the Westerville Area Chamber, Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2018, shared concerns about Trump’s extensive use of executive orders. Balderson emphasized the role of Congress in managing federal spending, arguing that Trump may be overstepping his authority.
“Congress has to decide whether or not the Department of Education goes away,” Balderson said. “Not the president, not Elon Musk. Congress decides.”
While he acknowledged Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to cut waste and audit federal agencies, Balderson questioned the legality of some executive actions. “Congress has to do their work,” he told the audience.
Balderson, originally from Zanesville, rose through Ohio’s political ranks, winning a seat in the state House in 2008 before moving on to the state Senate and eventually Congress. Despite his experience, some conservatives are now second-guessing his political future.
Criticism poured in after the event, with some accusing him of turning on Trump. “I guess he is desperate to retire,” one user posted on X. Influential conservative figure Kate Austin also weighed in, encouraging fellow Republicans to support a primary challenger to Balderson.
This incident is not isolated. Other Republicans are also feeling pressure from constituents over Trump’s proposals to dramatically reduce the size of the federal government.
At a town hall in Roswell, Georgia, voters confronted Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) about his support for Trump’s approach. In response, McCormick explained that Trump is “trying to do more with less, that’s reasonable – what’s not reasonable is taking this chainsaw approach.”
He continued, “My understanding is when you say you have this many employees that you have to cut, that organization decides who to cut,” a remark that was met with disapproval from the crowd, according to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal.
McCormick, who lost his seat in 2020 but regained it in 2022, represents a suburban district that Trump carried by 22 points last year. His comments highlight the challenges GOP lawmakers face when addressing Trump’s aggressive plans in their home districts.
Congress will soon face a major test of loyalty to Trump when it votes on a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. Trump has proposed a two-year increase to the debt ceiling and aims to preserve his 2017 tax cuts—proposals that are likely to put more moderate Republicans at odds with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Despite the internal party debate, Trump’s approval rating remains solid a month into his return to office. According to Newsweek, three recent polls show him holding at least 50 percent approval, indicating a majority of Americans support his performance even as some other polls show a dip in overall favorability.
A SurveyUSA poll of 2,000 adults revealed that 51 percent approve of Trump’s presidency, while 45 percent disapprove, giving him a +6 net approval rating. Regionally, Trump fared best in rural areas with 59 percent approval, compared to 51 percent in urban areas and 48 percent in suburban communities.