Ex-GOP senator predicts 'great migration' as GOP lawmakers turn backs on Trump

Former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) had a warning for Republicans on Tuesday, suggesting that the Department of Justice's $1.8 billion fund that could give Trump supporters compensation will create a serious backlash for the GOP in midterm elections.

Flake told CNN anchor Brianna Keilar on Tuesday that he expects to see Republicans flee Congress as a result of the decision and expected that more conservative lawmakers would need to take a firm stance on the Trump DOJ's announcement.

"If I were a Republican, I would run so farand so fast away from this andcondemn it, because it'sgoing to come back to haunt Republicans and this White Houseand anybody who's associatedwith it," Flake said. "The way thepresident has already directedthe Department of Justice to goafter his political enemies. And now we'll use this toreward his political friends.This is something that if you'rea Republican, you don't want tobe anywhere near."

With midterms months away, and President Donald Trump pushing for revenge against Republicans who have challenged him and targeting primary races in battleground states, Flake suggested it could cost GOP lawmakers in the long-term.

"After thiselection, I mean, the presidentwill be a lame duck," Flake said. "There's already going to beafter the filing deadlines aredone, after the primaries arecomplete and certainly after themidterms, you'll see a greatmigration of Republicans awayfrom some of the president'spolicies, certainly on tariffs and on the war and someother things that they want todistance themselves from. But ifthere's something like this thatthat just smacks of corruption — directing money toward yourpolitical allies. That'ssomething that Republicans notjust for this election, but forfuture elections, and justbecause it's not a good thing,to stand up, for therepublic. I mean, they're going to want to distance themselvesfrom this. This is a bad deal."