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Roy’s fiery critique of his party’s fiscal policies and Trump’s retaliatory threats have deepened divisions ahead of critical discussions on the spending bill.
Texas Representative
Chip Roy has ignited a heated feud within the Republican Party, taking aim at his colleagues and former President Donald Trump over the federal
debt ceiling negotiations
. Roy’s fiery critique of his party’s fiscal policies and Trump’s retaliatory threats have deepened divisions ahead of critical discussions on the spending bill.
In an impassioned tirade, Roy accused his Republican colleagues of abandoning
fiscal responsibility
, yelling, “You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on November 5th. It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful.”
He didn’t stop there, shredding the proposed bill for its $5 trillion increase to the national debt. “Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages, but increases the debt by $5 trillion is asinine,” he said.
“I am absolutely sickened by a party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility and has the temerity to go forward to the American people and say you think this is fiscally responsible,” Roy continued. “It is absolutely ridiculous.”
Roy’s pointed remarks drew a swift and scathing response from Trump, who took to Truth Social to brand the congressman an obstructionist. “The very unpopular ‘Congressman’ from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory — All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself,” Trump wrote.
Roy said his position on raising the debt limit is “simple.” “I am not going to raise or suspend the debt ceiling (racking up more debt) without significant & real spending cuts attached to it,” Roy said. “I’ve been negotiating to that end.”
Trump escalated the feud with a follow-up post threatening to back primary challengers. “Republican obstructionists have to be done away with,” Trump declared. “I hope some talented challengers are getting ready in the Great State of Texas to go after Chip in the Primary. He won’t have a chance!”
This time, the president-elect went after Rep.
Chip Roy
of Texas, a member of the far-right
House Freedom Caucus
, who is often aligned with Trump’s policy and political leanings. Roy and his fellow conservatives have been vehemently against any debit limit increases throughout their time in Congress but were blind-sided by Trump’s last-minute ask Wednesday.
“The very unpopular ‘Congressman’ from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory - All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself. Republican obstructionists have to be done away with,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Who is Chip Roy?
Roy, 51, represents Texas’ 21st congressional district, covering areas north of San Antonio and a significant portion of Austin. Known for his conservative principles, Roy serves as Policy Chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Roy earned degrees in commerce and information systems from the University of Virginia and later graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. Before entering Congress, he was Chief of Staff for Senator Ted Cruz and served as the First Assistant Attorney General of Texas.
Roy, married to Carrah Key since 2004, has two children. His estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $2 million, with an annual congressional salary of $174,000.
The Fallout
Roy’s defiance highlights the ideological rift within the GOP over fiscal policy. While his hardline stance may resonate with conservative voters, Trump’s threats to support primary challengers cast uncertainty over Roy’s political future.
