Lauren Boebert Stands Up to Trump In an Unlikely Spat – Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is either a spunky soldier in the culture wars who takes the fight to the Democrats or an annoying blabbermouth who spends time chucking bombs instead of governing.
These characterizations depend on your political point of view, but she is a definite newsmaker.
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Now Boebert is doing something she has always resisted – rebelling against Donald Trump and not heeding his advice.
This is another example of the division and chaos in the Republican Party which was once mostly united behind Trump in an America First philosophy that bound the GOP together.
Big Words for Someone Who Nearly Lost Re-election
The Colorado legislator is one to talk since she barely won re-election in 2022 by a thin margin that forced a recount.
But she is also addicted to the limelight and fashions herself a national leader. Boebert is not going quietly into the night and if that means calling out Trump for what she thinks is misguided advice, so be it.
Rebellion Against McCarthy and Trump
It was noteworthy when she took on Trump in public during a speech on the House floor on January 4. Trump has scolded the House Republicans for not totally supporting Representative Kevin McCarthy in his quest for the speakership.
There are at least five “Never Kevin” detractors and another 15 House Republicans who are resisting McCarthy and supporting another candidate. This group includes Boebert.
Take That Mr. President
“Even having my favorite president call us and tell us we need to knock this off, I think it actually needs to be reversed,” Boebert said as she nominated Representative Byron Donalds of Florida. “The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that sir, you do not have the votes, and it’s time to withdraw,” she told members of the House.
Lauren Boebert Can Sense Weakness
While not completely scalding words, it is rare for such a fan of Trump to defy him in public.
Boebert is not afraid of repercussions for disagreeing with Trump.
The former president is politically and legally wounded and perhaps he does not wield the power and fear that he once did.
Trump also does not occupy the bully pulpit of the White House and is barricaded in his estate in Florida issuing statements from a much smaller megaphone on his struggling social media site Truth Social.
Twenty House Republicans have voted for Donalds, who has unexpectedly been thrust into the spotlight. This was after five rounds of voting.
Democrats Are Having a Ball on the House Floor
The Democrats have reveled in the dysfunction and ineptitude of the House Republicans. They brought popcorn and alcohol onto the House floor and turned it into a leftwing beach party.
Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York summed up his side’s feelings by stating on Twitter that he was gleeful that Boebert would take on Trump. “Lauren Boebert calling out Donald Trump on the House floor was not on my 2023 bingo card.”
New Year, New Rebels
Trump is seemingly surprised about the rebel Republicans.
The former president has said McCarthy would make a great speaker. This should be enough of a statement to get the outcome that he wants, but not in 2023. This year is different. Politicians have a sense of reading who is the most powerful force in the room and Trump is not even in Washington, DC. The recalcitrant Republicans have come this far, and they are not going to back down.
Boebert senses an opportunity to rebel to raise her national profile and sideline former friend and now rival Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is an unlikely supporter of McCarthy.
What Is Boebert Trying to Accomplish?
However, it is not clear what the end game is for Boebert. She could pull a deal with McCarthy that would allow her to serve on the powerful House Rules committee in exchange for her support. Or she may be angling for a leadership role as a regional whip. Whatever the strategy, she has highlighted a weakness in McCarthy and Trump’s political partnership.
Boebert may not be finished in her rebellion and that means the holdout Republicans will band together tighter until their demands are met.
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Author Expertise and Experience: Serving as 19FortyFive’s Defense and National Security Editor, Dr. Brent M. Eastwood is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Foreign Policy/ International Relations.
