Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is drawing a line against President Donald Trump after the president publicly mocked Fitzpatrick’s fiancée, Jacqui Heinrich, during a tense exchange earlier this week.
According to The Daily Beast, Trump launched into an extended rant after Heinrich attempted to question him at an event, taking aim not only at the journalist but also at her relationship with Fitzpatrick. In a remark that quickly sparked backlash online, Trump referred to the Pennsylvania congressman as Heinrich’s “husband” despite the couple being engaged, not married, before accusing Fitzpatrick of disloyalty by claiming he “votes against me all the time.”
The comments appeared to deepen already growing tensions between the Republican congressman and the president. Fitzpatrick, who has often positioned himself as one of the more moderate voices within the GOP, responded within hours by announcing plans to oppose Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion Department of Justice compensation package.
Fitzpatrick’s pushback against the DOJ deal could cause real damage to Trump’s agenda
Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick sharpened his opposition to the proposal in even more forceful terms during an interview with journalist Scott MacFarlane of MeidasTouch, making clear he intends to actively work to dismantle the deal in Congress.
“We’re gonna try to kill it,” Fitzpatrick said, leaving little room for ambiguity about his stance on the $1.8 billion Department of Justice compensation package. He repeated the line for emphasis, adding: “Bad news, we’re gonna try to kill it,” underscoring the strength of opposition building among critics of the agreement.
Fitzpatrick also took particular issue with what he described as a sweeping legal shield embedded in the proposal. According to his remarks, the deal contains language stating that the Internal Revenue Service is “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing prosecutions, audits, or claims against President Donald Trump or any affiliated individuals, including associated trusts and business entities.
For Fitzpatrick, that provision appears to be a red line. His criticism suggests concern not only about the scale of the compensation package, but also about what he views as overly broad legal protections tied to it.
The language, as he described it, effectively limits future scrutiny of Trump-linked entities by federal tax authorities, a move likely to intensify already heated partisan debate over the deal’s scope and intent.This comes as Trump continues to face scrutiny over his finances, including a $300M Miami property gifted for his presidential library.
When asked if his effort would go after that provision specifically, Fitzpatrick replied, “Of course, yeah, you can’t do that.” Fitzpatrick represents a purple district in Pennsylvania that Democrats are hoping to flip in the upcoming midterm elections.
He has repeatedly tried to distance himself from the Trump administration, which has drawn attention for several controversial moves, including fast-tracking white South African refugees while cutting broader refugee programs. Trump’s public insult appears to have had the opposite effect of what was intended, pushing Fitzpatrick further into opposition rather than bringing him in line.
Published: May 21, 2026 11:13 am