Trump tells congressional Republicans to raise debt ceiling by inauguration day or 'be primaried'

President-elect Donald Trump warned Congressional Republicans on Wednesday that if they do not raise the debt ceiling by the time he takes office next month, they will be primaried in the next election.

The former president argued that Republicans who raised the debt ceiling for two years as part of a deal with the Biden administration in 2023, should be ashamed of themselves, calling the move "political malpractice." The deal meant the next deadline to raise the ceiling again will occur in June. 

Trump encouraged Republicans in both chambers to tie a bill that raises the debt ceiling to a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would keep the government funded through March. The incoming president claimed GOP lawmakers who only support a CR without the debt ceiling amendment will lose their next primary.

"If Republicans try to pass a clean Continuing Resolution without all of the Democrat 'bells and whistles' that will be so destructive to our Country, all it will do after January 20th, is bring the mess of the Debt Limit into the Trump Administration, rather than allowing it to take place in the Biden Administration,"  Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 

"Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be Primaried," he continued. "Everything should be done, and fully negotiated, prior to my taking Office on January 20th, 2025."

The warning comes after congressional leaders unveiled a massive government funding bill late Tuesday night, which includes $100 billion in disaster relief aid for Americans impacted by natural disasters. 

Congress has until midnight on Friday to pass the bipartisan package, and the House is expected to vote on the legislation on Thursday. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation on Friday or Saturday. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.