Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said Tuesday he is not personally bothered by President Trump’s statements or tweets attacking him, moments after he said he would not seek re-election.
“On a personal level, no, it doesn’t matter much to me,” Flake said on CNN after being asked whether Trump’s attacks. “I have the love of my wife and five children and a lot of relatives and close friends who know me. So the president’s tweets or statements don’t matter that much personally.”
Trump and Flake have sparred previously, especially after Flake published a book, “Conscience of a Conservative,” that criticized Republicans who backed Trump.
Trump has also expressed support for former Arizona state lawmaker Kelli Ward, who was planning to run against Flake in the Republican primary.
“Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He’s toxic,” Trump tweeted in August.
Flake said he would not run for re-election during an interview with the Arizona Republic, and said, “there may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican Party.”
“Here’s the bottom line: The path that I would have to travel to get the Republican nomination is a path I’m not willing to take, and that I can’t in good conscience take,” Flake said. “It would require me to believe in positions I don’t hold on such issues as trade and immigration, and it would require me to condone behavior that I cannot condone.”
Flake reiterated those sentiments on the Senate Floor Tuesday as he criticized Trump and his behavior.
“Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has been excused as telling it like it is when it is actually reckless, outrageous and undignified,” Flake said. “When such behavior emanates from the top of our government, it is something else. It is dangerous to a democracy. Such behavior does not project strength because our strength comes from our values. It, instead, projects a corruption of the spirit and weakness. It is often said children are watching. Well, they are. And what are we going to do about that? When the next generation asks us, why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you speak up? What are we going to say?”
Flake served in the House for seven terms and was elected to the Senate in 2012.
