Trump withdraws Hurd endorsement, backs Scheppelman after Tariffs Supreme Court ruling in Colorado 3rd District race
President Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Colorado Rep. Jeff Hurd and endorsed Hope Scheppelman after Hurd voted to repeal certain tariffs and emphasized congressional authority over trade following a Supreme Court ruling that limited presidential tariff powers.
Key takeaways
- Trump rescinded his endorsement on Truth Social and labeled Rep. Jeff Hurd a “RINO,” instead endorsing Hope Scheppelman; reporting cited includes Washington Examiner, Fox News, and Mediaite.
- Supreme Court limited IEEPA use, issuing a 6-3 decision that emphasized Article I congressional powers over tariffs and constrained presidential emergency tariff authority; reporting noted in Washington Examiner and Fox News.
- Hurd voted to repeal tariffs (H.J.Res.72) and argued that major trade decisions require congressional statutory authority and debate.
Background: Supreme Court ruling and legal split on tariffs
A 6-3 Supreme Court decision curtailed broad uses of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs the White House had imposed in April. The court’s majority stressed that sweeping trade restrictions implicate Article I powers that belong to Congress.
That clarification affects how presidents may act during trade emergencies and how Congress can exercise oversight on trade tools, prompting votes and debate in the Hill about who should set tariff policy. Reporting on the decision and its implications has been covered by outlets including Washington Examiner and Fox News.
Hurd’s decision and public defense
Rep. Jeff Hurd publicly defended his vote and reasoning on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote that “the Supreme Court has clarified the scope of IEEPA, and that clarification matters,” adding that Article I assigns Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to impose tariffs.
Hurd emphasized that “major trade decisions should rest on clear statutory authority, not expansive emergency interpretations.” He said he shares broad trade goals but insisted that durable legal footing and congressional debate are necessary for sustained trade policy. Hurd also voted with a bipartisan majority to repeal the administration’s 25% tariffs on Canada under H.J.Res.72, a move that drew immediate attention from the White House and conservative activists.
Trump’s response: withdrawal, denunciation, and new tariff moves
On Truth Social, Trump announced he was “WITHDRAWING my Endorsement of RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd District, and fully Endorsing Highly Respected Patriot, Hope Scheppelman.” He framed the move around Hurd’s opposition to what he described as “the unbelievably successful TARIFFS” and accused Hurd of prioritizing foreign interests.
Trump’s reversal is unusually public — the reports note this is only his second-ever endorsement withdrawal of a Republican incumbent — and came alongside a pledge to raise a new global tariff from 10% to 15% under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. He criticized the Supreme Court ruling as “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American,” and said he would support primary challenges to tariff opponents. Sources covering these developments include Washington Examiner, Fox News, and Mediaite.
Endorsement of Hope Scheppelman
Trump praised Hope Scheppelman as a “distinguished Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, brave U.S. Navy Veteran, [and] former Vice Chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party.” He said Scheppelman supports “America First Policies,” strong defense spending, and “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” declaring that “unlike RINO Jeff Hurd, HOPE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
With the president’s backing, Scheppelman becomes the national standard-bearer in the Colorado 3rd District primary contest, raising questions about donor shifts and grassroots support in the race.
Political stakes and reactions
The endorsement reversal signals to Republican incumbents that breaking with the president on core agenda items, particularly tariffs, could carry electoral consequences. Trump has vowed to recruit and back primary challengers against perceived disloyalty on trade issues.
Fox News contacted Hurd’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response; Colorado and national operatives will watch whether Scheppelman’s national backing changes fundraising dynamics and local organizing.
Implications for California
Economic and trade policy
California’s economy is highly exposed to global trade. Any expansion of tariffs or abrupt tariff policy shifts could affect exporters, ports, agriculture, and technology sectors. Trump’s pledge to raise global tariffs to 15% under Section 122 could increase costs for California businesses reliant on imported inputs and prompt retaliatory measures by trading partners.
The Supreme Court ruling pushing more tariff decisions into Congress may produce longer legislative debates and opportunities for California’s delegation to seek exemptions or targeted relief for the state’s exporters.
Political consequences for California Republicans and moderates
The episode highlights tensions within the Republican Party between loyalty to Trump’s America First trade agenda and concerns about constitutional checks and a rules-based trade order. Moderate California Republicans may face pressure to choose between support for strong tariffs and insistence on congressional oversight — a choice mirrored by Rep. Hurd’s stance.
Trump’s willingness to withdraw endorsements could nationalize California primary races and prompt outside resources to flow into contests where incumbents break with the former president.
Practical impact on businesses and voters
California farmers and manufacturers that export to Canada or the Pacific Rim will monitor tariff decisions closely. Sudden duty changes can disrupt supply chains, raise input costs, and complicate planning for small and mid-size businesses.
Voters in swing suburbs and business communities may respond to candidates’ trade messaging: appeals emphasizing job protection via tariffs may resonate with some, while arguments for legal process and durable law may appeal to those prioritizing rule-of-law concerns.
Regional political messaging
For moderate conservative audiences in California, the episode underscores a choice between aggressive executive action and institutional restraint. Candidates and party leaders may craft messaging that combines support for American workers with adherence to constitutional checks to appeal to a broad electorate.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on reporting from multiple outlets on the endorsement withdrawal, the Supreme Court ruling, Hurd’s statements and votes, and Trump’s tariff announcements. See coverage from Washington Examiner, Fox News, and Mediaite.
“Major trade decisions should rest on clear statutory authority, not expansive emergency interpretations,” — Rep. Jeff Hurd (as posted on X and reported by national outlets).
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado (Times Media Service)
