Trump blasts retiring Republican 'cowards and weaklings' as Gallagher heads for exit

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday fumed over Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher's decision to leave Congress early and thin the Republican majority to a single vote.

"Never forget our cowards and weaklings! Such a disgrace," he posted in response to an article from the Washington Examiner indicated that the lawmaker remained resolute in his decision to leave mid-Congress.

Gallagher announced last month that he would resign on April 19, past the deadline to hold a special election to choose a replacement before the midterm elections. The move drew rebuke from Republicans, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who demanded that leadership either force him to leave earlier or expel him so as to permit the selection of a replacement.

The Wisconsin lawmaker is far from the first Republican to leave this Congress. Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former Colorado Rep. Ken Buck both left the lower chamber during the current Congress. The Republican majority further narrowed due to the expulsion of New York GOP Rep. George Santos.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.