Trump Threatens Primaries Over Tariff Vote

Six House Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a resolution to repeal the president's tariffs on Canada.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump threatened Republican lawmakers with primary challenges if they voted against his tariff policies. This came after six House Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a resolution to repeal the president's tariffs on Canada, a key U.S. trading partner.

Why it matters

Trump has made tariffs a central part of his economic policy during his second term, raising import taxes on goods from major U.S. trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China. This has strained international relations and faced broad opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who argue the tariffs have resulted in higher costs for American households.

The details

The resolution to repeal the tariffs on Canada was sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Six Republican representatives - Don Bacon (Neb.), Kevin Kiley (Calif.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Jeff Hurd (Colo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), and Dan Newhouse (Wash.) - joined Democrats in supporting the measure. Rep. Jared Goldman (Maine) was the sole Democrat to vote against it.

  • On February 12, 2026, Trump posted a message on Truth Social threatening primary challenges against any Republican who voted against his tariff policies.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who made tariffs a central part of his economic policy during his second term.

Gregory Meeks

The Democratic ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who sponsored the resolution to repeal the tariffs on Canada.

Don Bacon

A Republican representative from Nebraska who voted to repeal the tariffs on Canada.

Kevin Kiley

A Republican representative from California who voted to repeal the tariffs on Canada.

Thomas Massie

A Republican representative from Kentucky who voted to repeal the tariffs on Canada.

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What they’re saying

“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The House resolution to repeal the tariffs on Canada will now move to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future given the Republican majority.

The takeaway

Trump's threat of primary challenges against Republicans who oppose his tariff policies underscores the divisive nature of this economic strategy, which has strained international relations and faced bipartisan criticism over its impact on American households.