Trump calls for MAGA Rep Thomas Massie to voted out of office after objections over Iran strike

"Get this 'bum' out of office ASAP!!!" Trump wrote in all caps on Truth Social. This was accompanied by his Sunday post stating that "Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is. Actually, MAGA doesn’t want him, doesn’t know him, and doesn’t respect him."

Trump defended the air strikes on Iran, which Massie opposed, touting the prowess of the American military. "We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the 'bomb' right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!) but, as usual, and despite all of the praise and accolades received, this 'lightweight' Congressman is against what was so brilliantly achieved last night in Iran."

Trump said that Massie is "weak, ineffective, and votes 'NO' on virtually everything put before him," calling him "Rand Paul, Jr."

He also announced that Massie would be primaried, saying "The good news is that we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I’ll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard. MAGA is not about lazy, grandstanding, nonproductive politicians, of which Thomas Massie is definitely one."

On Sunday, following the strikes on Iran and the questions on whether the US would engage in attempting regime change in Iran, Trump said "It's not politcally correct to use the term 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"

In response, Massie wrote, "This is not America First folks."

Two advisors to the president, Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio, have launched a super PAC with the intention of removing Massie from representing the district that he's served for over 12 years. Trump endorsed Massie in his 2022 race to retain his seat representing Kentucky's 4th district. Republican Niki Lee Ethington has filed to run against Massie in the GOP primary.

Massie teamed up with Democrat California Rep. Ro Khanna to introduce a resolution to "prohibit involvement in Iran." He said that "The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn’t attacked the United States."

Article 1, Section 8, and Clause 11 of the Constitution states that "The Congress shall have Power ... To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water." The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was a further check on the president's power when it comes to bringing the US into military conflicts. Presidents have cited Article 2, Section 2, which reads that "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States..."