This is where the showdown came: the US House of Representatives.Image: AP
February 12, 2026, 10:35 amFebruary 12, 2026, 10:35 am
Several Republican Party lawmakers have defied Donald Trump in the House of Representatives and supported a vote against the Canada tariffs he imposed.
The majority only came about because, in addition to almost all Democrats, six Republicans also voted for a resolution that would remove the basis for certain tariffs against the neighboring country.
It is remarkable that there are several dissidents in our own ranks when voting on such an elementary pillar of Trump’s policy.
These are the six Republicans who stood up to Trump – and the US President is now threatening them with this:
Thomas Massie, Kentucky
Thomas Massie has recently become more and more noticeable as a Trump critic. He is considered (together with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna) the driving force behind the disclosure of the Epstein files. Trump symbolically called him “scum” on Truth Social in December.
Imagine celebrating a blessed Christmas with your family… suddenly phones alert everyone to the most powerful man in the world attacking you… for fulfilling his campaign promise to help victims!
“plus one lowlife Republican, Massie”
Please support me: https://t.co/AgJY01JuFj pic.twitter.com/0qE7SgKvvC
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) December 26, 2025
Don Bacon, Nebraska
Don Bacon is also considered an internal party critic and has already spoken out against Trump several times. For example, at the end of December there were rumors about one a possible Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence made the rounds and Trump spread this without concrete evidence, Bacon wrote: “President Trump and his team should get the facts before assigning blame. Putin is known as a brazen liar.”
President Trump and his team should get the facts first before assuming blame. Putin is a well-known boldface liar. https://t.co/wHf1HXWcGM
— Rep. Don Bacon (@RepDonBacon) December 29, 2025
Kevin Kiley, California
On the other hand, MP Kevin Kiley is unknown. In an interview with CBS He says he voted against Trump’s Canada tariffs because “it is an attempt to take power away from Parliament.” He refers to the check and balance principle and argues with the separation of powers. However, Kiley also emphasizes that he is not fundamentally against Trump’s tariff requests.
Kevin Kiley.Image: AP
Jeff Hurd, Colorado
Republican Jeff Hurd also voted against Trump. The representative from Colorado argues similarly to Kevin Kiley. He also emphasizes that a customs policy in accordance with the constitution is the task of parliament: “It was not an easy decision, but I stand by it.” When asked whether he was now afraid of a reaction from the US President, he said: “I don’t know, we’ll see. In principle, Trump is right, but we have to follow the constitution.”
Jeff Hurd.Image: keystone
Brian Fitzpatrick, Pennsylvania
Brian Fitzpatrick was actually considered a “team player” in the Republican ranks – to the debate over US healthcare reform and Obamacare subsidies last year. At that time, he was the first from the Republican ranks to openly oppose plans to phase out the subsidies at the end of 2025. Since then, Fitzpatrick has again politicized firmly along party lines – until the vote on tariffs.
Image: keystone
Dan Newhouse, Washington
Representative Dan Newhouse also voted against Trump. He defends his approach was primarily due to the close relationship and economic importance with neighboring Canada: “Canada is our state’s second-largest export market, with billions of dollars worth of goods sold from Washington each year.” The prices for agricultural producers’ inputs and equipment have continued to rise and the counter tariffs have damaged the beer, wine and spirits industries.
Dan Newhouse.Image: keystone
Trump rages on Truth Social
The Republicans have a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, which was undermined by the six politicians listed above. The president had tried until the end to influence his own party and prevent the vote. He wrote on the Truth Social platform that every Republican in the US Parliament who votes against tariffs will feel the consequences in the coming elections.
Image: Truth Social
In fact, the result of the vote has more symbolic value: in order to withdraw the affected tariffs, the Senate, the second chamber of parliament, would have to agree. And then Trump himself would have to sign the resolution. This is hardly to be expected, especially since tariffs are a core instrument of his trade policy.
A year ago, the president issued a decree imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports of goods from Canada. In doing so, he wanted to increase pressure on the government of the neighboring country, which, in his view, is doing too little to prevent drugs from crossing the border into the USA. Trump justified the tariffs by saying there was a national emergency as a result of this drug smuggling. In the resolution introduced by the Democrats in the House of Representatives, this alleged emergency is declared null and void.
With material from the sda.