Conservatives lash out at Trump after he attacks Chip Roy, calls for him to face primary challenge: ‘Idiotic’

Many prominent conservatives have joined in a unified chorus of condemnation after President Trump launched a blistering attack Saturday morning on freshman GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Trump, in a series of tweets, accused Roy of obstructing an economic relief package and called for him to face a primary challenge for his seat.

Trump’s tweets sparked a barrage of criticism and disbelief from prominent conservatives, many of whom had supported his policies in the past.

“This is idiotic. Chip Roy is the strongest defender of conservative principles in Congress. His colleagues should be standing with him, not attacking him,” wrote Erick Erickson, a conservative radio host.

Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, a frequent critic of Trump, hit back on Twitter, writing “Chip is a friend of mine … the House GOP doesn’t need hostage taking and showboating. It needs lawmaking and problem-solving.”

Trump’s attacks on Republicans and conservative policies have increasingly drawn backlash from conservatives. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, writing on Twitter, urged Republicans to embrace ideological diversity, rather than the “racial or gender type of diversity.”