The most conservative faction of House Republicans warned Wednesday that Donald Trump could face the “wrath” of an angry public if he is unable to fulfill ambitious campaign promises that include building a wall along the Mexican-U.S. border.
“If you think people are frustrated now, imagine a scenario if Trump is president and after six months, find out everything he promised to do or they thought he promised to do, he cannot deliver on those,” Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Ks., who along with members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, spoke with reporters on Wednesday.
Conservative lawmakers praised Trump’s campaign performance but questioned his conservative credentials.
Conservatism, “is not Donald Trump’s past,” Huelskamp said. “It may be his future.”
Conservatives on Tuesday began grappling with the reality of Trump becoming the nominee.
Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, advised that only a politician “who wants to end their career,” should be Trump’s running mate, though he added, “I’m just kidding.”
Labrador acknowledged Trump’s “astronomical” support among voters in the five-state primary contest the business mogul swept on Tuesday.
But he was critical of Trump, who he said has yet to put forward a plan to address any of the top conservative priorities, including deficit reduction.
“A lot of the stuff he stands for is different that what we stand for,” Labrador said. “He seems to have no particular plan, except to make American great again.”
Labrador said despite the misgivings among conservatives, the party should not select a presidential nominee other than Trump or Cruz, who are the only candidates to have won multiple primaries.
Huelskamp warned that if Trump becomes president, he may have a difficult time carrying out some of his campaign pledges, including the border wall, because it will require congressional approval.
“What they will expect if Trump is the president is he will have to change the system,” Huelskamp said, adding if he can’t, “I think you will have the most frustrated public, ever, in American history and I don’t think he will escape the wrath of America under that scenario.”
