Trump Withdraws Endorsement Of Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd Over Tariff Dispute

President Donald Trump has revoked his endorsement of Jeff Hurd, accusing the congressman of failing to support his administration’s tariff policies.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said Hurd’s opposition to certain tariffs placed on foreign goods led him to reconsider his support. The president also labeled Hurd a “RINO,” a political term meaning “Republican in Name Only,” often used by Trump and his allies to criticize Republicans viewed as insufficiently loyal to the party’s agenda.

Trump announced he will now back Hope Scheppelman in the upcoming Republican primary for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, scheduled for June 30.

Dispute Centers on Tariff Policy

The conflict stems largely from Hurd’s vote in favor of a resolution that sought to repeal portions of Trump’s tariff policy.

Hurd was among six House Republicans who supported the measure, which aimed to end the national emergency authority used by the administration to impose tariffs on foreign imports.

The tariffs were introduced using powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a statute that allows the president to regulate economic activity during national emergencies.

However, critics in Congress argued that using the law to impose broad tariffs stretched the president’s authority beyond its intended purpose.

Trump Defends Tariffs as Economic Strategy

In his announcement, Trump defended the tariffs as a major success and said lawmakers who opposed them were undermining U.S. economic interests.

“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 withdrawing my endorsement,” Trump wrote.

He added that Scheppelman, whom he described as a U.S. Navy veteran and critical care nurse practitioner, would support his “America First” agenda, including policies focused on economic growth, border security, tax reductions, and election integrity.

Hurd Cites Constitutional Concerns

Hurd previously defended his vote on social media, arguing that Congress — not the executive branch — holds primary authority over trade policy under the U.S. Constitution.

He warned that allowing presidents to rely on broad emergency powers for trade decisions could create dangerous precedents.

“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,” Hurd wrote.

He emphasized that protecting the separation of powers should remain a priority regardless of which political party controls the White House.

“The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House,” Hurd added.

As of the time of the report, Hurd had not issued a direct response to Trump’s withdrawal of support.

Supreme Court Ruling Complicates Tariff Policy

Trump’s decision to revoke the endorsement came shortly after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a 6–3 ruling striking down much of the administration’s tariff program.

The Court concluded that the president had exceeded his authority by using the emergency powers law to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign imports.

Following the ruling, Trump moved to impose a 10 percent universal tariff on imports using different statutory authority granted by Congress. Shortly afterward, the administration raised the rate to 15 percent.

Rare Move by Trump in Republican Primaries

Trump noted that withdrawing an endorsement is uncommon for him.

He said the only previous example occurred during the 2022 Alabama Senate race, when he rescinded his backing of Mo Brooks after accusing Brooks of abandoning claims about the 2020 election.

Brooks ultimately lost the Republican primary to Katie Britt, whom Trump later endorsed.

Primary Race in Colorado Could Become Test of Party Loyalty

The endorsement shift sets up a potentially contentious Republican primary in Colorado’s 3rd District.

Trump’s backing of Scheppelman may intensify internal party divisions over trade policy, presidential authority, and the future direction of Republican economic strategy.

With the June 30 primary approaching, the race could become another test of how much influence Trump continues to hold within the Republican Party and its congressional candidates.