Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Trump attacks four ‘disloyal’ Republicans for pushing back on Canada tariffs in late-night screed

Senators McConnell, Murkowski, Paul and Collins have indicated they will vote to terminate Trump’s national emergency

Ariana Baio
in New York
Wednesday 02 April 2025 19:03 BST
Comments
Carney sends message to Trump in response to new auto tariffs

President Donald Trump chastised four “disloyal” Republican lawmakers who indicated they will join Democrats in voting for a resolution to undo his tariffs on Canada, calling them “extremely difficult” in an overnight Truth Social rant.

Early Wednesday morning, Trump took to his social media platform to implore Senators Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul to “get on the Republican bandwagon” and remain loyal to their party.

All four senators had indicated they would join Democrats in voting for a joint resolution that would terminate the national emergency Trump declared in order to punish Canada for not stopping the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

The president called the four Republicans ‘disloyal’ and ‘suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome’
The president called the four Republicans ‘disloyal’ and ‘suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome’ (AFP via Getty Images)

“Why are they allowing Fentanyl to pour into our Country unchecked, and without penalty. What is wrong with them, other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, commonly known as TDS?” Trump said of the Republicans.

Democrats and some Republicans have expressed concern about the impact Trump’s tariffs have on the U.S.-Canada relationship as well as both countries’ economies.

“The Maine economy is integrated with Canada, our most important trading partner,” Collins said on Wednesday afternoon. “The tariffs on Canada would be detrimental to many Maine families and our local economies.”

McConnell, the former Senate Minority Leader, pushed back on Trump’s tariffs in an op-ed, warning they would hurt his constituents from Kentucky.

McConnell has disputed some of Trump’s policies, publishing an op-ed railing against tariffs
McConnell has disputed some of Trump’s policies, publishing an op-ed railing against tariffs (AP)

Paul called those in favor of tariffs “wrong” saying it is a “fallacy to think it will help the country.”

“Tariffs are a tax and if you tax trade or anything, you’ll get less of it,” Paul told The Hill on Wednesday.

Trump has said the tariffs are necessary to “penalize” Canada for the “large amounts of Fentanyl” that come through the border.

Federal data indicates only a small amount of fentanyl comes into the U.S. from Canada. Customs and Border Protection seized approximately 43 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border between October 2023 and October 2024.

Authorities only seized around 11 pounds of fentanyl between October 2024 and February 2025.

But Trump has insisted the tariffs are necessary, even asking his followers from Kentucky, Alaska and Maine to “call these Senators and get them to FINALLY adhere to Republican Values and Ideals.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in