Freedom Caucus to Trump: Lay off Sanford attacks

Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus on Monday urged President Trump to drop his ongoing attacks against Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) in the wake of Sanford’s primary loss earlier this month.

Trump mocked the South Carolina Republican in his home state at a campaign rally for Gov. Henry McMaster (R), saying he “never liked [Sanford] too much.”

“The Tallahassee Trail, must be a beautiful place,” Trump said, misidentifying the Appalachian Trail while taking a dig at Sanford’s infamous affair during his time as governor. “Unfortunately for him, he didn’t go there.”

{mosads}Sanford, a vocal Trump critic, had originally explained away an extended absence from his time as governor by saying he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. In fact, he was in Argentina with a woman he was having an affair with.

During a closed-door meeting of the Freedom Caucus Monday evening, a number of lawmakers in the powerful group adamantly called for members to come out in defense of Sanford and condemn president’s repeated attacks against one of their own.

Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said the group stands by Sanford, who lost his reelection primary against state lawmaker Katie Arrington (R) hours after the president tweeted his endorsement of Arrington.

“Everybody in there is very supportive of Mark Sanford, and I think that’s one of the things that overwhelmingly they believe that the president is getting bad political advice,” he said.

The former governor also came to his own defense.

“The context of that is, you know, the president is in South Carolina 100 miles from the district speaking on the gubernatorial race and for some reason decided to tee off on me again,” Sanford said while leaving the meeting. “So, this is the fourth time, so this is why Justin brought that up.”

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash was among the GOP lawmakers who came to Sanford’s defense following Trump’s tweeted attack on June 12.

.@MarkSanford’s job is to support and defend the Constitution. He’s one of the most principled, consistent, and conservative members of Congress I’ve ever known. And unlike you, Mark has shown humility in his role and a desire to be a better man than he was the day before. https://t.co/zNYKb5WKmH

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) June 12, 2018

Trump had also said that he was applauded and cheered when he called Sanford a “nasty guy” at a GOP conference meeting, a claim multiple lawmakers present called flatly false.

The Freedom Caucus released a statement earlier Monday applauding Sanford’s service.  

“Mark Sanford has been a strong, independent voice fighting for the people of South Carolina’s First District. We continue to support him, he is a valued member of the House Freedom Caucus, and it’s our honor serving with him,” the statement reads. “His thoughtful consideration of legislation and willingness to put constitutional principles ahead of the party line is commendable and will be missed.”