Trump Pulls Endorsement From ‘RINO’ Over Lack Of ‘Tariff Support’
President Donald J. Trump made clear this weekend that loyalty to the America First agenda is not optional.
On Saturday, the president announced he is withdrawing his endorsement of Rep. Jeff Hurd, a Republican representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, after Hurd sided with Democrats in opposing key elements of Trump’s tariff policy.
In a forceful statement, Trump labeled Hurd a “RINO” — short for “Republican in Name Only” — a term commonly used to describe GOP lawmakers who diverge from core conservative priorities.
“Based on a lack of support, in particular for the unbelievably successful TARIFFS imposed on Foreign Countries and Companies which has made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before, I am hereby WITHDRAWING my Endorsement of RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd District, and fully Endorsing Highly Respected Patriot, Hope Scheppelman, to take his place in Congress,” Trump said.
The president added:
“Congressman Hurd is one of a small number of Legislators who have let me and our Country down. He is more interested in protecting Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for decades than he is the United States of America. Taking back an Endorsement is a difficult decision for me.
“I have only done it once before, with a former Congressman named Mo Brooks, from Alabama, who was leading by 54 points after my Endorsement for U.S. Senate, and then, he unexpectedly, for strictly political reasons, changed his views on the Rigged Election of 2020, and lost his Race in a Landslide to Katie Britt, who I Endorsed. These are the decisions that must be made, however, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump announced he will instead back Hope Scheppelman, a Republican challenger described as a U.S. Navy veteran and critical care nurse practitioner. According to the president, Scheppelman is committed to advancing the America First platform — including economic growth, tax relief, border security, and election integrity.
The endorsement shift follows Hurd’s vote with five other House Republicans in support of a resolution aimed at terminating the national emergency authority underpinning Trump’s tariffs. Those tariffs targeted foreign countries and companies the administration argues have taken advantage of the United States for decades.
Earlier this month, Hurd defended his vote by appealing to constitutional principles.
“If we normalize broad emergency trade powers today, we should expect that a future president — of either party — will rely on the same authority in ways many of us would strongly oppose. Institutional consistency matters,” Hurd posted earlier this month on X.
“The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House,” he added. “My responsibility is to defend the separation of powers regardless of political convenience.”
The timing of Trump’s announcement is significant. Just one day earlier, the Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision striking down much of the president’s tariff framework, ruling that he exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977.
Undeterred, Trump moved swiftly to adjust course. After initially implementing a universal 10 percent tariff on imports, the president increased the rate to 15 percent on Saturday, relying on alternative authorities already granted by Congress.
Supporters of the administration argue that tariffs have strengthened domestic industry, reshored manufacturing, and enhanced national sovereignty in an era of global economic competition. Critics within the party, like Hurd, warn of executive overreach and unintended economic consequences.
Trump’s decision to withdraw an endorsement is rare. As he noted, the only previous instance involved former Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, who later lost his Senate bid to then-Representative Katie Britt in 2022.
With Colorado’s June 30 Republican primary approaching, the president’s backing could significantly reshape the race — and send a broader message to congressional Republicans about alignment with his economic agenda.
For Trump, the message is unmistakable: the America First movement demands consistency, particularly on issues central to economic sovereignty and trade fairness.