Political “Civil War” Erupts as GOP Rebels Risk Primary Pain to Cross Trump on Maple Syrup Tariffs

God forbid Congress actually have a backbone for once…

No matter which team you’re batting for (or if you’re just here for the popcorn) DC delivered an Academy Award level performance yesterday. Pam Blondie’s hearing didn’t exactly rewrite the history books. It did, however, turn half of Twitter into a confused thirst trap while the other half screamed about transparency. Politics, baby.

The standout moment? When pressed on why she allegedly sat on the Epstein files for so long, she basically waved it off with: the American people shouldn’t care… the Dow’s at 50,000.

Which, I’m 100% stealing that line the next time I’m losing an argument at home. “Why didn’t you take the trash out?” Babe. The Dow is at 50,000. Priorities.

Anyways, fast forward to last night… and things didn’t go too hot for Donnie Tariffhands either. Because while POTUS was firing off TRUTH Social posts in full caps-lock glory about the sacred holiness of tariffs, the House looked at his Canada trade war and basically said:

“Cool sermon. We’re voting anyway.” And vote they did.

In a 219-211 squeaker, the House passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) to disapprove of Trump’s tariffs on Canada. A few Republicans crossed the aisle. One Democrat crossed back. Democracy, baby. The Democratic side erupted in cheers when it passed. Which tells you everything you need to know about how tense that chamber was.

(Source: The Guardian)

That said, the measure heads to the Senate (which approved similar resolutions last year), and even if it passes there, Trump is almost guaranteed to veto it. But symbolism matters. Especially when you’ve got a razor-thin majority and a President publicly threatening political extinction.

“Any Republican… that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time,” Trump posted mid-vote. Nothing says healthy intra-party dialogue like Tony-Soprano-level threat, amirite? Obviously this was way more important than maple syrup and auto parts. This was a loyalty exam.

House Republicans were forced to choose: Stay aligned with Trump’s “America First” tariff crusade… Or vote against a policy many of them think is economically messy.

Reps. Thomas Massie (aka Trump’s biggest nemesis), Kevin Kiley, and Don Bacon broke ranks earlier in the week to allow debate on the tariffs. Bacon (who’s retiring) basically said, “You can’t sweeten Nebraska while everyone else eats the bill.” Which, respect for the balls.

Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson could afford to lose almost nobody. Razor-thin majority politics is like trying to bench press 405 with one arm… every defection hurts. Johnson called the effort a mistake, arguing Congress shouldn’t limit the President while he negotiates trade deals. Translation: “Please stop making this harder. I like my job.”

So why are they doing this?

(Source: The Hill)

Opponents argue the Canada tariffs raise costs on groceries, energy, manufacturing inputs… essentially the stuff voters notice immediately. That’s not ideal in swing districts where “economic nationalism” feels way less poetic at checkout. Democrats framed their decision as: end the cost-raising tariffs or keep making families pay. And what do you know? Republicans in competitive districts are reading the same grocery receipts you are.

Even if this resolution dies via veto (which it probably will), the vote itself is the headline. Because it signals that more Republicans than just Thomas Massie are publicly rebuking a signature Trump policy… and doing so on the record. It’s both sides of Congress reminding the executive branch that Article I still exists. Whether that reminder survives Trump’s veto pen is another story. But things are getting as dicey as ever.

At the time of publishing this article, Stocks.News doesn’t hold positions in companies mentioned in the article.