Former President Donald Trump has celebrated the exit of Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) from Congress, calling him a “super RINO” and saying that his departure is a “great thing for the Republican Party.”
In a statement released on Friday, Trump said that Buck is a “weak and ineffective leader” who has been “a major disappointment” to his constituents. He also accused Buck of being a “turncoat” who has betrayed the Republican Party.
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“Ken Buck is a super RINO who has been a major disappointment to his constituents and to the Republican Party,” Trump said in the statement. “He is a weak and ineffective leader who has failed to stand up for what is right. His departure from Congress is a great thing for the Republican Party.”
Buck has aggressively criticised Trump after the January 6 Capitol assault. He was one of 10 House Republicans who impeached Trump for instigating the uprising.
Buck also disagrees with Trump on the 2020 election and COVID-19. He has consistently declared Trump lost the election properly and criticised the former president’s epidemic response.
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Buck’s departure from Congress comes amid Republican division. Trump’s base loves him, but many Republicans in Congress hate him.
Republican Party reaction to Trump’s celebration of Buck’s retirement from Congress is unknown. Republicans may interpret it as a reflection of Trump’s enduring influence or the party’s severe splits.