Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has rescinded his endorsement of Jeff Hurd, a Republican congressman representing Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, citing what he described as Hurd’s lack of support for his tariff agenda. The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between Trump and a member of his own party, underscoring ongoing divisions within the Republican conference over trade policy and executive authority. Trump, who has made tariffs a centerpiece of his economic platform, framed the move as necessary to defend what he called a highly successful strategy designed to strengthen the American economy. By withdrawing his backing, Trump signaled that loyalty to his “America First” trade policies remains a critical test for Republican candidates seeking his political support. The announcement immediately reshaped the political landscape in the district, drawing national attention to what had previously been a relatively low-profile primary contest.

In explaining his decision, Trump labeled Hurd a “RINO,” short for “Republican in Name Only,” a term frequently used by Trump and his allies to criticize GOP lawmakers they view as insufficiently aligned with core conservative priorities. The president made the announcement on his social media platform, stating that he would instead endorse Hope Scheppelman, a Republican challenger running in the district’s June 30 primary. Trump said his withdrawal stemmed largely from Hurd’s vote with Democrats to repeal portions of his tariff policy, which targeted foreign countries and companies. According to Trump, the tariffs had made America “Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before.” He argued that Hurd’s opposition represented a betrayal not only of his administration’s economic vision but also of American workers and industries that he believes benefit from protective trade measures. The endorsement switch elevates Scheppelman’s campaign and places Hurd in the politically precarious position of defending his record against both a primary opponent and the former president’s direct criticism.

Hurd was one of six House Republicans who supported a resolution to terminate the national emergency authority underpinning the tariffs. That authority had been invoked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, a statute that grants the president broad powers to regulate commerce after declaring a national emergency in response to unusual and extraordinary threats. Critics of the administration’s approach argued that using IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs stretched the law beyond its intended purpose. Hurd defended his vote publicly, emphasizing constitutional principles and Congress’s primary authority over trade. He stated that while he supports fair trade and protecting American interests, the normalization of expansive executive emergency powers could set a troubling precedent. If such authority became routine, he warned, a future president of either party could wield it in ways many lawmakers might strongly oppose. Hurd framed his decision as an institutional matter rather than a personal rebuke of Trump, arguing that safeguarding the separation of powers should transcend partisan considerations.

Trump’s post, however, portrayed the dispute in far sharper terms. He praised Scheppelman as a “Highly Respected Patriot,” highlighting her background as a U.S. Navy veteran and critical care nurse practitioner. According to Trump, she would champion “America First” policies including economic growth, tax cuts, border security, and election integrity. He accused Hurd of being more interested in protecting foreign countries that have been “ripping us off for decades” than in defending American workers. Trump emphasized that withdrawing an endorsement is not a step he takes lightly, noting that he has done so only once before. He referenced his decision to rescind support from Mo Brooks during the 2022 Senate primary in Alabama, after Brooks changed his position regarding the 2020 election. Brooks ultimately lost the GOP primary to Katie Britt, whom Trump subsequently endorsed. By drawing that parallel, Trump signaled that he views endorsement reversals as strategic corrections intended to ensure that candidates remain aligned with his political movement.

The timing of Trump’s move also drew attention because it came one day after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a 6–3 decision striking down most of the tariffs imposed under IEEPA. The Court concluded that the administration had exceeded its statutory authority in applying emergency powers to enact broad trade measures. The ruling represented a significant legal setback for Trump’s tariff program and intensified the broader debate over executive authority. In response, Trump first introduced a universal 10 percent tariff on imports and later increased it to 15 percent using alternative authorities granted by Congress. Supporters argue that tariffs protect domestic industries, address trade imbalances, and strengthen national security. Critics contend they raise costs for consumers and businesses, disrupt supply chains, and risk retaliation from trading partners. Within this legal and political context, Hurd’s vote to limit emergency tariff powers took on added significance, positioning him among a small group of Republicans willing to challenge Trump’s approach even as the courts weighed in.

At the time of the announcement, Hurd had not issued a public response to Trump’s endorsement change. In earlier posts on X, however, he justified his vote by reiterating that Congress holds constitutional responsibility to regulate foreign commerce. “The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House,” he wrote, stressing that institutional consistency matters. He also argued that the tariff policy had negatively impacted businesses and residents in his state, suggesting that local economic concerns informed his decision. The unfolding primary contest in Colorado’s 3rd District now serves as a microcosm of the broader Republican debate over trade, executive power, and party loyalty. Trump’s intervention underscores his continued influence within GOP primaries and his willingness to actively shape the party’s direction. Whether voters ultimately side with Hurd’s constitutional argument or Scheppelman’s alignment with Trump’s economic nationalism will provide an early indication of how Republican voters balance institutional principles against allegiance to the party’s most prominent figure.