‘People are angry’: House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face backlash at home – CNN
The backlash has turned their 2022 primaries into tests of how long Trump can hold the stage in Republican politics and whether GOP voters are willing to turn the midterms into tests of loyalty to him.
"It started out big and it's still growing. People are angry," said Bryan Miller, the Republican chairman in Wyoming's Sheridan County who said he plans to run against Cheney in the party's 2022 primary. "She's not living up to what we in Wyoming wanted, across the board. And it's a huge betrayal."
Anthony Bouchard, a Wyoming state senator who is also running against Cheney, said he's been "flooded" with messages encouraging a primary run.
"I believe that her impeachment vote revealed who she has allegiance to, and I don't think the voters will forget it any time soon," Bouchard said.
The early seeds of primary trouble for House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump is an illustration of how much loyalty the former President retains within his party, weeks after he departed office and was removed from his favorite social media platforms.
Whether the anger against those 10 lawmakers will survive the next year is far from clear, with congressional districts' makeup certain to shift as states complete the once-a-decade process of redrawing district lines and more than a year for the anger to dissipate and the GOP's focus to move past Trump.
"Each and every one of those 10, when they made that vote, they knew in their heads and in their hearts it was probably a political death sentence. They knew that," said former Rep. Joe Walsh, the conservative Illinois Republican whose 2020 primary against Trump did not gain traction.
He said any establishment donor money that goes to support those 10 GOP lawmakers will be "dwarfed" by money aimed at ousting them.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of them not even run again, depending on how their districts shake out" after redistricting, Walsh said.
Trump has been showing allies a poll of Wyoming voters commissioned by his super PAC and conducted by Trump's longtime pollster John McLaughlin to make the case that Cheney's vote on impeachment is not popular among Republicans there, a source told CNN. His super PAC also issued a news release highlighting the poll.
Donald Trump Jr. called into Gaetz's event and said Cheney should be ousted in next year's primary.
"It's time to have a change at the top. It's time to have people that are going to start representing the people -- not their own agendas, not their own nonsense, but their constituency," he said. "And since the people of Wyoming are clearly not thrilled with Liz Cheney, let's find someone who can replace her and actually do that job well."
The Republicans who voted to impeach Trump have all defended their votes by saying they were a matter of principle after Trump encouraged attendees at a January 6 rally to march on the US Capitol -- which led to the deadly riot that afternoon.
Amid the complications of primary challenges against House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump is the potential that -- like in Wyoming -- multiple candidates could enter primaries, fracturing the opposition to vulnerable Republican incumbents.
Still, the impeachment vote has led some state and local parties, as well as major donors, to say that they are dropping their support for those Republicans -- for good.
In Washington, the state's Republican Central Committee passed a resolution condemning Trump's impeachment "without question or exception" and expressing disappointment at Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler, two of the 10 Republicans who voted in favor of impeachment.
The Clark County Republican Women's Group sent a letter to Herrera Beutler explicitly saying it would recruit and back a primary challenger.
The letter said that "this vote will never be forgotten, as your action is a personal affront to the 70 million plus Americans who voted for our President."
In Michigan, the Allegan County Republican Party censured Rep. Fred Upton for his vote, saying that he "betrayed oath of office and core values" of the county party.
Tom Norton, the third-place finisher in a 2020 primary won by Rep. Peter Meijer in western Michigan, said he is running again and appeared on former Trump adviser Steve Bannon's podcast two weeks ago.
Gene Koprowski -- who launched a primary bid against Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of the GOP's most outspoken Trump critics -- named the campaign committee he created on January 14 "Impeach Adam Kinzinger 2022."
The "issues" page on the website launched by former Fresno city councilman Chris Mathys, who says he'll take on Rep. David Valadao in California, contains just three sentences, all targeting Valadao's impeachment vote: "President Trump has fought in our behalf to protect our conservative republican values. It is unbelievable that congressman David Valadao would for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. I will do everything to restore our conservative values as a conservative republican."
Ken Richardson, the chairman of the school board in South Carolina's Horry County, said he'd long thought he might run for Rice's 7th Congressional District years down the road.
"I didn't know that Tom was going to shoot himself in the foot. But he's done that," Richardson said. "To say I'm getting calls would be an understatement."
He called Rice "a nice guy" and noted that Rice had been to barbecues at his house.
"But the county that we live in right now -- 71% of the people voted for Donald Trump. And if you're the congressman for this area, you've got to understand, that's not Tom Rice's seat and it's not Ken Richardson's seat. That seat belongs to the people," Richardson said.
Those considering primary runs said they have already heard from major Republican donors -- and are convinced that GOP primary voters' anger toward those who voted to impeach Trump will ease before the 2022 primaries.
"I do not think this is going to dissipate," Miller said.
Richardson said: "There's no doubt in my mind it's going to last way past the election."
This story has been updated Saturday with additional reporting.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins and David Wright contributed to this story.
Original post:
'People are angry': House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face backlash at home - CNN
- House Republican Proposes Bill to Wind Down the Iran War - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Another House Republican is under the microscope for alleged sexual misconduct - Politico - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Lather, Rinse, and Repeat: House Republican Appropriators Again Approve Foreign Assistance Bill with Funding Cuts and Bad Policy Riders - Home - PAI - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Vivek Ramaswamy wins Republican nomination for Ohio governor - BBC - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- House Republican introduces bill that includes strict limits on Iran war - The Hill - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- A Maine Republican is joining his rivals campaign while staying in the race - Bangor Daily News - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Inside the Quiet Republican Effort to Flip Fetterman - Politico - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Swing-district Republican introduces war authorization to limit Iran operations - Jewish Insider - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Republican who defied Trump, then lost his election fires back: 'loyalty lies' with 'the people of my district' - CNN - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- New polling shows a tight race to be the Republican nominee for South Carolina's next governor - MyHorryNews.com - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Americans continue to view both the Republican and Democratic parties negatively - Pew Research Center - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Trump stumps for Burt Jones in crowded Republican race for governor - AJC.com - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Swing-district Republican breaks with Trump, pushes limits on Iran war - Yahoo - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- CNN Data Guru Dispels Myth Trump Is Losing Republican Support: He Absolutely Still Has the Juice - Yahoo - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Republican rethink after King Charless speech to the US Congress - The Guardian - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Republican lawmakers lead Capitol rally for CPS and foster care reform - Michigan Advance - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Pingree Statement on House Passage of Republican Farm Bill - Representative Chellie Pingree (.gov) - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- 2026 Pennsylvania Primary Election Guide | Kerry Benninghoff, Republican incumbent in the PA House 171st District - fox43.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Sen. Andr Jacque wont run for reelection, marking 6th Senate Republican departure - Wisconsin Examiner - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- 2026 Pennsylvania Primary Election Guide | Thomas Kutz, Republican incumbent for PA House's 87th District - fox43.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- A New Jersey Republican hasnt voted in weeks, sparking questions over lengthy absence on Capitol Hill - CNN - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Trump lashed out at 1 disloyal Republican but another is to blame - NJ.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- The current darling of the Massachusetts Republican Party is . . . a Democrat - The Boston Globe - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Republican Chas Calenda to remain in charge of U.S. Attorneys Office for Rhode Island - Rhode Island Current - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Born and raised: Republican Patrick Dyer wants to be the next Baltimore County executive - thebanner.com - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Every Black Republican Is Leaving the House, Erasing Diversity Gains - The New York Times - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Florida Republican announces he will retire from House after term ends - The Hill - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Support for Democratic, Republican candidates tied among likely voters ahead of midterms: Poll - The Hill - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Jacksons bus arrives as he is primed to speak before diners at Hucks Cafe in Commerce at 11 a.m. Videos and a... - April 29th, 2026 [April 29th, 2026]
- Opinion | Why the Republican-union alliance never works - The Washington Post - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Rep. Nancy Mace introduces measure to expel fellow Republican Cory Mills from Congress - NBC News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Johnsons lead grows in new poll on race for Republican governor nomination - South Dakota Searchlight - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- NC Republican legislators have veto overrides on immigration, guns, DEI in their sights - NC Newsline - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Republican lawmakers introduce bills to put Big Oil above the law - Center for Climate Integrity - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Crowded Republican field fights to take on Ohio's veteran congresswoman - Courthouse News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Scaramucci: Trump Is Trying To Sink Vance Because 'Trump Wants To Be the Last Republican President' - Yahoo Finance - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: "DONALD TRUMP AND REPUBLICAN CONTROL OF CONGRESS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER" - Democratic Leader Hakeem... - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Rep. White: Republican Budget Chooses Wealthy Ohioans Over Working Ohioans for Tax Relief, Awarding Stadium Subsidies Over Ohio Families - Ohio House... - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Im a lifelong Republican. This is not what we voted for | Opinion - Sun Sentinel - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Rep. John James delivers his petitions to appear on Republican August primary ballot for Michigan governor - Michigan Public - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Election Live: Morning vote trends point to strong Republican turnout, but is it Republican enough for "no" to win? - Cardinal News - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Nancy Mace Introduces Resolution to Expel Her Republican Colleague Cory Mills - NOTUS News of the United States - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Democrats Are Ready to Reclaim Georgia. Is a Former Republican the Man for the Job? - The Free Press - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Indiana primary will test Trumps control over Republican Party after redistricting defiance - WNDU - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Johnsons lead grows in new poll on race for Republican governor nomination - News From The States - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Ascension Republican Women host candidate forum ahead of May 16 primary - The Advocate - April 21st, 2026 [April 21st, 2026]
- Republican Tony Gonzales to step down from Congress amid expulsion threat - The Guardian - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Republican state representatives demand that Colorados budget bill be read aloud cost taxpayers upwards of $10K - The Colorado Sun - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after admitting to affair with staffer - PBS - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas resigns after bipartisan calls for expulsion, admitting to sexual misconduct - ABC7 Los Angeles - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters vandalized again - KOB.com - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Bill Limiting ICE Expected To Pass CT Senate Over Republican Opposition - CT News Junkie - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Why onetime MA Sen. Scott Brown thinks he's the Republican to flip New Hampshire's open Senate seat - CNN - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Penguin Random House Urges U.S. Congress to Reject Republican Book Banning Bill - Publishing Perspectives - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after bipartisan calls for expulsion - El Paso Inc. - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- Megadonor dumps in $3M to help Maine Republican in crowded primary - Bangor Daily News - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- New First District Republican congressional district open this year - The Troy Messenger - April 14th, 2026 [April 14th, 2026]
- SNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is Implemented - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Republican wins Marjorie Taylor Greene seat but by tighter margin - The Washington Post - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Top NC House Republican says teacher pay top priority as lawmakers return to Raleigh - NC Newsline - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Texas Republican congressman slams Donald Trump's threat to wipe out of Iran - San Antonio Express-News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- 2 Republican election officials say Trumps mail-in voting order will be overturned - Politico - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Republican Clay Fuller elected to fill Marjorie Taylor Greenes unexpired House term - WCTV - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Governor Morrisey says hell be endorsing legislative candidates in Republican primary - WV MetroNews - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Republican PAC to spend $79 million supporting Ohio Sen. Jon Husted against Sherrod Brown - 10TV - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Breaking News: Clay Fuller, a Trump-backed Republican, won the House race in Georgia to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Read more:... - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Republican Clay Fuller wins election to U.S. House in Georgias 14th Congressional District - WTOP - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller won a special election runoff to fill fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greenes former U.S. House seat, widening... - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Democrats Triumph in City Where Republican Party Was Founded - Newsweek - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Texas Republican Brad Baileys evolution on immigration - The Texas Tribune - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Several Republican candidates to converge on Pine Level this weekend - WAKA 8 - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Once a foe, Lindsey Graham is now Trumps biggest Iran war booster: The most pro-war Republican out there - The Guardian - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Beth Fukumoto: Elle Cochran's Misguided Switch To The Republican Party - Honolulu Civil Beat - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- "I don't know that I'm a Republican anymore." Farmer Tim OHarrow realizes that being a farmer and a Republican dont always go hand in hand.... - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Opinion: What happened to the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan? - The Asheville Citizen Times - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Horsford Marks 16 Years of the Affordable Care Act, Warns of Republican Healthcare Crisis Hitting Nevada Families - Congressman Steven Horsford |... - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- Will Bobby Charles lead in the Republican primary for governor last? - The Portland Press Herald - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- 2028 is the Republican Partys second chance - The Hill - March 30th, 2026 [March 30th, 2026]
- How the Republican Party Forgot It Was Conservative - The American Prospect - March 28th, 2026 [March 28th, 2026]
- Rep. Sam Graves, a Senior House Republican, Will Retire as Midterm Exodus Grows - The New York Times - March 28th, 2026 [March 28th, 2026]