Congressional Republicans Tell CNN’s Manu Raju They’re Willing To Defy Trump: ‘I Love Donald Trump, But He Didn’t Vote Me Into Office’

During the debate over the recent spending bill, Republican lawmakers told CNN’s Manu Raju that they are willing to defy President-elect Donald Trump. 

Trump has threatened GOP lawmakers with backing their primary challengers in the midterm election if they cross him on legislation.

During a Sunday discussion on CNN, Raju played a montage of footage from last week showing Republican lawmakers openly discussing how they would be willing to not listen to Trump if necessary. The lawmakers included, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

RAJU: Are you worried about backlash from Trump?

MACE:I have supported Donald Trump. He supported me, were very good.

RAJU: What do you think Trump may have learned, if anything, by trying to bully Republicans like yourself into backing the debt limit suspension?

BURCHETT: I just think we need to stick to what we told our folks back home.

BURLISON: I’d never voted to raise the debt ceiling. I mean, I love Donald Trump, but he didn’t vote me into office. My district did.

RAJU: Trump has said that people will get primaries if they don’t listen to him on the debt limit and the C.R.. Does that affect how you are thinking about this?

CASSIDY: I am thinking about what is good for my state and what is good for my country.

RAJU: Are you concerned your primary at all.

CASSIDY: I am not.

Watch the clip above via CNN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet Newsletter
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!