GOP rebels deal stinging rebuke to Trump as threat to primary defectors backfires

Several House Republicans revolted against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, helping Democrats pass a sweeping resolution to block controversial Canadian tariffs and delivering a rare and stinging rebuke to the president's signature economic policy.

The final vote was 219-211, with one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, going rogue and siding with Trump.

The drama began on Tuesday when GOP leadership failed to squash a Republican rebellion. A procedural rule vote designed to prevent any House challenges to Trump's tariffs went down in flames thanks to three Republican defectors: Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kevin Kiley of California, and Don Bacon of Nebraska.

Republicans have clung to a razor-thin majority, and Johnson could only afford to lose one Republican vote.

Johnson downplayed the disaster, telling reporters Trump was not angry despite threats moments before the vote to primary any rebel Republicans.

"Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!" Trump threatened on Truth Social. "Our Trade Deficit has been reduced by 78%, the Dow Jones has just hit 50,000, and the S&P, 7,000, all Numbers that were considered IMPOSSIBLE just one year ago. In addition, TARIFFS have given us Great National Security because the mere mention of the word has Countries agreeing to our strongest wishes. TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege."

Even so, Johnson swatted away any notion the president was harboring ill will.

"He’s not upset. I just left the White House. He understands what's going on. It's not going to affect or change his policy. He can veto these things if they come to it," Johnson said.