Republicans Say Trump Will Cost Them the Midterms

Few Republican lawmakers said anything publicly about President Trump’s startling social media post last week warning Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” but privately, in a large text chat, a group of them read his threat with alarm, NBC News reports.

“The chat is among members of Congress’ ‘Main Street Caucus,’ a group of almost 100 GOP lawmakers. One Republican lawmaker questioned how the remarks were helpful to those having to defend Trump’s costly war with Iran and complained that the president’s rhetoric isn’t doing the party any favors, according to three House Republicans with direct knowledge of the exchange. Multiple members then chimed in to echo similar concerns.”

Said one House Republican: “People were pissed.” 

Said another: “You cannot just threaten to erase an entire civilization.”

“Some in the group debated whether and how to respond but, in the end, most stayed silent for fear of angering Trump or undermining him in wartime.”