There’s a bit of a Twitter war going on today between President Donald Trump and Idaho 1^st District Congressman Raul Labrador; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. First, Trump tweeted this morning, “The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!”

Now, Labrador, one of the founders of the conservative Freedom Caucus in the House, has responded back with this tweet: “Freedom Caucus stood with u when others ran. Remember who your real friends are. We're trying to help u succeed.”

Labrador actively campaigned for Trump in the final weeks of the presidential campaign, when few other members of Congress would; he stumped for Trump in Florida, Arizona and Utah the week before the November election.

The New York Times reported today that Trump “declared war on the conservatives of the House Freedom Caucus on Thursday, suggesting Republicans should ‘fight them’ in the 2018 midterm elections if they do not back his agenda,” and citing Trump’s tweet.

Meanwhile, Politico, in a story headlined “Freedom Caucus reckons with wrath of Trump,” reported today that the Freedom Caucus is in “soul searching mode,” and one member, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, quit the caucus on Sunday over its split with Trump on the GOP health care bill. Poe told Politico that the Freedom Caucus’ strategy on the issue “hurt their credibility.” Politico also had this comment from Labrador:

“When you’re right in the middle of the battle, and you’re getting all this pressure from the White House and your leadership and fellow members, it’s difficult to stand your ground because no one likes to not be liked,” said Labrador. “But the reality is that if we all went home next week with a bill with only a 17 percent approval rating, I think we would all regret that vote.”

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