GOP lawmaker says he doesn't 'pay any attention' to the Trump administration because 'the president is a distraction'

President Trump
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Republican Rep. Mike Simpson (Idaho) told America what he really thinks of President Trump in an interview with Politico published Thursday: "I don't even pay any attention to what is going on with the administration because I don't care. They're a distraction. The family is a distraction, the president is a distraction. At first, it was, 'Well yeah, this is the guy we elected. He'll learn, he'll learn.' And you just don't see that happening."

Simpson's brutal honesty poured out as he and other Republicans lamented the week's health-care crash and burn, the latest flop to stymie Republicans' agenda. While Trump is starting to hassle congressional Republicans for not getting the job done on health care, Politico reported that lawmakers are "starting to blame Trump for his handling of the Russia probe, Twitter feuds, and attacks on the media."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us