Shocking news from DC as it emerges that, against all odds, faint signs of a backbone have been detected in some Republican lawmakers. Yesterday, six members of Donald Trump‘s party endangered their careers by joining with Democrats to vote to undo Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
The vote to ‘disapprove’ of Trump’s tariffs was voted on by all Democrats (except Maine’s Jared Golden for some insane reason), who were joined by six Republicans: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kevin Kiley of California, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Jeff Hurd of Colorado.
Sadly, this doesn’t mean Trump’s hands have been prised off the levers of power. Getting rid of the tariffs would require Trump to sign off on it, and you don’t need to be a brain genius political analyst to predict that he’s not going to do that in a squillion years.
But a symbolic strike against Trump by Republicans isn’t nothing, especially given Trump’s splittle-flecked threats on Truth Social in the run-up to the vote. He ominously promised that any Republican who defies him will “suffer the consequences”:
“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries! Our Trade Deficit has been reduced by 78%, the Dow Jones has just hit 50,000, and the S&P, 7,000, all Numbers that were considered IMPOSSIBLE just one year ago. In addition, TARIFFS have given us Great National Security because the mere mention of the word has Countries agreeing to our strongest wishes. TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege.”
Retribution is coming…
I’m sure regular Americans who’ve been landed with hundreds of dollars of import fees on packages and the countless small businesses that have relied on exports that have gone bust would agree…
Either way, expect almighty retribution from Trump soon, likely consisting of purestrain MAGA crazies primarying any Republicans who aren’t sufficiently Trumpian for his tastes. Either you lick his boot, or you’re out!
Officially, the White House struck a calmer tone after the vote. Kevin Hassett, the director of the Trump’s national economic council, said: “We’re disappointed in what the people have done. The president will make sure they don’t repeal his tariffs.”
The bill will now go to the Senate, which has already expressed its displeasure at Trump’s tariffs on Canada. But even if and when both chambers approve the bill and send it to Trump’s desk, expect it to be vetoed at approximately the speed of light.
Regardless of whether this is ultimately a symbolic protest, you can bet Trump is big mad about Republicans standing up to oppose him. Expect a truly furious Truth Social outburst any minute now…
Published: Feb 12, 2026 01:46 am