HFC BRACES FOR BOB BLOWBACK Donald Trump is going all out to unseat Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) in his June 18 primary race, and the House Freedom Caucus is caught smack in the middle. The right-wing populist group includes some of Trump’s most die-hard supporters, many of whom are now juggling their defense of Good, the caucus’ chairman, with their support for the GOP’s most powerful leader. Despite Trump releasing a new video this week attacking Good as “bad for Virginia” and boosting primary opponent John McGuire, most members of the Freedom Caucus appear to be sticking with Good. “The vast majority, if not all — I haven’t done, like, a whip check or something like that — support Bob,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). “Frankly, I just think the president ought to focus on a message to win the American people, not these kinds of political infighting.” Good luck with that: Trump appears to be taking special delight in targeting Good, who initially backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries. In the new video, he called Good “someone who will stab you in the back like he did me.” Ouch. Yet the reality is that it could get worse for the Freedom Caucus. Trump could pivot his attacks to Good’s leadership of the Freedom Caucus if he does not succeed in toppling him in the primary race. And if both Trump and Good are in office next year, it could make for an untenable situation — and some members have privately expressed they would side with Trump if it comes down to it. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who was kicked out of the Freedom Caucus and is a strong critic of Good, argued he should “step down” now given Trump’s attacks because “he doesn't have the support there.” The tensions between Good and Trump world have been further exacerbated by accusations that Good has been trying to hitch himself to Trump’s name despite not having the former president’s coveted endorsement this cycle. A law firm representing Trump and his campaign on sent Good’s campaign a cease-and-desist letter last week, ordering him to stop using yard signs that include Trump’s name. The Good campaign dismissed the letter, arguing that they weren’t breaking any laws. Greene on Wednesday posted a video standing next to one of those signs, calling Good a “liar” and teeing off on “what a horrible person he is.” Inside the caucus itself, several members tried to brush off the tensions. Asked about the awkwardness of Trump attacking their leader, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) said, “I don't think it'd be productive to comment on that.” “Trump endorses who he wants to endorse. I wish it wouldn't happen, but it is what it is,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who backed Nikki Haley for the presidency before backing Trump. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) downplayed the rift, noting that Good supports Trump and his policies, as well as the fact that the caucus has had policy disagreements with Trump in the past that didn’t ultimately affect their positive relationship. But others acknowledge this is much different, extending beyond policy and into the personal realm. Good is shrugging off the attacks, boasting of his strong grassroots following in his largely rural district and suggesting Trump’s recent attacks are coming out of desperation. “Why do you think they need to be doing additional endorsement statements?” Good asked reporters. “We are good. We are going to win. We are ahead. What the people up here in D.C. don’t understand is that I’m doing what the Republican voters in my district want me to do.” — Olivia Beavers GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, June 5, where 50 Cent was up In Da Capitol today. He even pity-laughed at that joke when Olivia made it to him in person.
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