Former President Donald Trump is seeking retribution against Rep. Dan Newhouse, a House GOP lawmaker who voted to impeach him nearly four years ago. Newhouse, one of only two remaining House Republicans who sided with Democrats after the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, is facing Trump's wrath as Election Day approaches.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his disdain for Newhouse, stating, 'Newhouse has to go! He wished he didn’t do what he did, but it’s too late.' Trump threw his support behind Jerrod Sessler, Newhouse's opponent in Washington's 4th Congressional District race, labeling Newhouse as a 'Weak and Pathetic RINO' for his impeachment vote.
Sessler, a Navy veteran, is backed not only by Trump but also by the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Newhouse, seeking a sixth term in the reddest district of Washington state, faces a tough challenge from Sessler, who outperformed him in the state's primary elections.
Despite his impeachment vote, Newhouse remains confident in his ability to work with Trump if the former president returns to the White House. He emphasized his successful collaboration with Trump during his first administration and downplayed the impact of his impeachment vote on their potential future relationship.
Newhouse secured re-election in 2022 against a Democratic opponent with a significant margin of 68% to 32%. Trump had previously endorsed Sessler and another Republican candidate in the primary to pressure Newhouse out of the race, with Sessler emerging as the top contender.
The dynamics of the Washington 4th Congressional District race highlight the ongoing rift within the Republican Party between those loyal to Trump and those willing to break ranks. As the election nears, the outcome of this contest will serve as a barometer of Trump's influence within the GOP and the party's direction moving forward.
