The former President Donald Trump took a victory lap after hearing that Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) had announced his retirement.
Trump made the comments on his Truth Social media platform, suggesting that the movement shifting the GOP more toward his brand of conservative politics had led to Buck’s departure.
“Good news for the Country!” a giddy former President wrote. “Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado, a weak and ineffective Super RINO if there ever was one, announced today that he won’t be running again, which is a great thing for the Republican Party.”
Trump went on to suggest that the outgoing lawmaker had opted to sell out his principles on his way out the door so that he could “audition” for a role at some “country-destroying leftwing outlet.”
“They can have him,” Trump added, “and watch their ratings go down still further if that’s even possible!”
( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social )
( Donald J. Trump – Truth Post – Nov 01, 2023, 11:34 PM ET )Good news for the Country! Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado, a weak and ineffective Super RINO if there ever was one, announced today that he won’t be running again, which is a great… pic.twitter.com/5nLfMY9T6U
— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) November 2, 2023
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Buck Announces Retirement, Much To Trump’s Delight
Representative Buck has been a solid conservative during his House career. He has an overall voting record, according to FreedomWorks, of siding with conservative values nearly 95% of the time.
The outlet has firmly labeled him a “Freedom Fighter.”
He is a member of the House Freedom Caucus.
But, like Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney before him, Buck appears to have decided to cast that reputation aside because he doesn’t like the character of one Donald J. Trump.
Swamp 25 knows they’re toast!
Ken Buck is dropping out of the race and MAGA Candidate Trent Leisy is there to clean up his mess
Hey Colorado’s 4th CD – time to send a Patriot to DC @realTrentLeisy
This is how we take back power for the People https://t.co/NklGBn2Eih pic.twitter.com/DXIDKPQq1l
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 1, 2023
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In a video announcing that he would not run for re-election in 2024, the Colorado Republican blasted “insidious narratives” about the 2020 presidential election as well as any suggestion that prosecutions surrounding it demonstrate a weaponized government apparatus.
He argued against those in his party that downplayed the seriousness of the Capitol riot.
Buck also took a swipe at what he referred to as the GOP’s “self-serving lies.”
“Too many Republican leaders are lying to America,” he declared.
Earlier today I announced that I won’t be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
To my friends in Colorado, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve our nation. Being your representative in Washington DC has been the highest honor of my life. pic.twitter.com/FQdPVbpH46
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) November 1, 2023
Buck Had Become A Critic Of The Trump GOP
Despite his solidly conservative record, Buck has of late been unwilling to side with what Trump supporters find important.
Buck told former congressman Trey Gowdy in an interview earlier this year that an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden was the “wrong thing at the wrong time.” He even suggested that there had been no evidence presented linking President Biden to his son Hunter’s elicit business activities.
Prior to that, the Washington Post profiled Buck as an unlikely hero in the fight to “undercut (the) GOP’s Trumpian exploits.”
“From time to time a congressional Republican — usually one with a foot out the door — steps forward to suggest that maybe his or her party is going down the wrong path in the Trump era,” they wrote.
More recently, he downplayed any suggestion that Trump should serve as Speaker of the House following Kevin McCarthy’s ouster, which he voted in favor of. Trump’s name had been circulated amongst far-right members of Congress at the time.
Trump believes Buck’s retirement is because “he knew long ago he could never win against MAGA.”
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