Trump withdraws endorsement of Rep. Jeff Hurd, throws support to Hope Scheppelman amid tariff dispute
Former President Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Rep. Jeff Hurd in Colorado’s 3rd District, citing Hurd’s refusal to back his tariff agenda, and instead gave his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to challenger Hope Scheppelman.
Key takeaways
- Trump rescinded support for Rep. Jeff Hurd over his public insistence that Congress — not the president alone — should set major trade policy (Washington Examiner, Fox News).
- Trump endorsed Hope Scheppelman — a Navy veteran and former critical care nurse practitioner — calling her a “Highly Respected Patriot” (Washington Examiner).
- Legal trigger: a Supreme Court ruling narrowed IEEPA powers, prompting administration reliance on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to raise a global tariff rate to 15% (Fox News).
- Political stakes: the rare withdrawal of an endorsement signals Trump’s willingness to back primary challengers over trade-policy differences (Washington Examiner).
What Trump said and why he acted
On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was “WITHDRAWING my Endorsement of RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd District,” and announced his support for Hope Scheppelman. He framed the dispute around tariffs, calling them “unbelievably successful” and saying they made “America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before.”
“[Scheppelman] will deliver America First Policies and will not let you down,” Trump wrote, praising her record in the Navy and as a nurse practitioner.
Reporting on the withdrawal and endorsement appeared in outlets including Washington Examiner and Fox News.
Hurd’s stance: constitutional limits and legislative role
Rep. Jeff Hurd publicly pushed back on the notion that the president alone should set sweeping trade policy. In a post on X, Hurd cited the Supreme Court ruling that narrowed presidential authority under IEEPA and reminded readers that Article I assigns Congress the power to regulate foreign commerce and impose tariffs. He argued major trade choices should rest on “clear statutory authority” rather than “expansive emergency interpretations.”
Hurd has supported legislative steps that undercut parts of the administration’s tariff program, including a vote for H.J.Res.72 to repeal certain tariffs on Canada — a move critics aligned with Trump called evidence Hurd sided with outside interests over an America-first trade strategy (Washington Examiner).
Hope Scheppelman: the challenger endorsed by Trump
Hope Scheppelman is a U.S. Navy veteran, a former critical care nurse practitioner, and has served as vice chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party. Trump called her a “Highly Respected Patriot” and praised her commitment to “defend our Country” and “support our Military.” The endorsement immediately boosted her campaign profile and could reshape the Colorado 3rd District primary field (Washington Examiner; Fox News; Mediaite).
Legal backdrop: the Supreme Court and tariff authority
The immediate trigger for the clash was a Supreme Court decision that limited the scope of presidential action under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling narrowed the president’s ability to impose broad tariffs using emergency authority. In response, the administration signaled reliance on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, announcing a move to raise the global tariff rate to 15 percent shortly before Trump rescinded his endorsement of Hurd (Washington Examiner; Fox News).
Political context and the rarity of the split
Trump has long used endorsements as leverage inside the Republican Party. Withdrawing support for a sitting GOP member is uncommon and signals a willingness to intervene in primaries. Observers note this was only the second time Trump publicly yanked an endorsement from a sitting Republican lawmaker, highlighting how central tariffs have become to his political messaging (Washington Examiner).
Implications for Walla Walla, Washington
Economic impact: Walla Walla’s agricultural and wine sectors depend on export markets and imports for equipment and packaging. Higher global tariffs, like the announced 15% rate, could raise costs for growers and processors while potentially helping some domestic suppliers compete.
Political consequences: Voters who prioritize constitutional checks may respond to Hurd’s Article I argument, while those favoring aggressive America First economics could rally behind Trump-backed challengers. Local GOP committees, donors and activists may realign based on candidates’ trade stances.
Social and cultural effects: The dispute could sharpen local debates about federal power, trade policy and economic trade-offs. Scheppelman’s military and health-care background may resonate culturally in communities that value service and practical results, while Hurd’s legalistic emphasis may appeal to rule-of-law conservatives.
Practical applications: Voters and local stakeholders should weigh whether they prioritize immediate trade protection measures (which may attract Trump’s backing) or clear legislative authority and congressional debate on trade policy.
Reporting notes and sources
This story draws on reporting from Washington Examiner, Fox News, and Mediaite. No response from Rep. Hurd’s office was reported in initial coverage.
The endorsement reversal sets up a potentially contentious Colorado 3rd District primary where constitutional questions about trade authority and America First messaging will be central.
