Flake calls for 2020 Trump primary challenger

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called for a Republican to challenge President Trump in the 2020 election on Sunday during an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press.”  

“Do you think he needs to be challenged from somebody who espouses your views?” Todd asked Flake. 

“Yes, I do. I do. I mean, it would be a tough go in a Republican primary. The Republican Party is the Trump party right now. But that’s not to say it will stay that way,” Flake said. 

{mosads}The retiring Arizona has long been one of Trump’s chief critics in the Republican Party, often lashing out at the president for his immigration and economic policies, as well as for his bombastic rhetoric. He criticized the Trump administration when announcing he would not run again for Senate.

Flake made similar comments earlier this month, and would not rule out a 2020 challenge to Trump. 

“I do think the president will have a challenge from the Republican Party, I think there should be,” Flake said. “I also think that there will be an independent challenge, particularly if the Democrats insist on putting somebody up from the far left of the party.”

Flake has stoked speculation about a potential 2020 bid with an upcoming visit to New Hampshire. 

Meanwhile, Trump last night jumped into full campaign mode at a rally in Pennsylvania for GOP congressional candidate Rick Saccone. 

Trump spent most of the event touting his accomplishments as president, and revealing his new campaign slogan “Keep America Great.” 

“The tax bill was so massive, bigger than [Ronald] Reagan, biggest one done,” Trump said. It is so big, he added, that “we are calling it tax reform” instead of a tax cut.

“This is where a nonpolitician is good. For 40 years they couldn’t pass anything,” the president continued. 

Trump is poised to face off against one of several Democratic hopefuls in 2020, which may include Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) or Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).