The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) removed Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) on Monday night following his endorsement of the primary challenger to the caucus chairman.
Davidson stirred controversy this summer by endorsing state Sen. John McGuire, who challenged and ultimately defeated Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) by about 375 votes in June. McGuire had also secured the backing of former President Donald Trump.
While Davidson’s endorsement of a fellow caucus member’s challenger was unusual, it did not violate any caucus rules.
Davidson, known for his conservative stance and efforts to require intelligence agencies to obtain warrants before spying on Americans, has had a public dispute with Good since the latter’s elevation to caucus chair.
Davidson resigned from the caucus leadership board early last year, protesting Good’s promotion to chairman.
In a critical letter, he urged his colleagues to consider how to enhance their influence while maintaining their power to shape policy.
“I strongly feel that Bob Good as Chairman will impair that objective,” Davidson wrote.
Donald Trump supported Davidson and other Capitol Hill Republicans by endorsing McGuire. Throughout the primary, Trump criticized Good, labeling him as “bad for Virginia, and bad for the USA.”
Good, who initially backed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in the 2024 Republican presidential race, only endorsed Trump after DeSantis withdrew.
Good further incited Trump’s ire by suggesting on his campaign materials that Trump had endorsed him, prompting the Trump campaign to reportedly send a cease-and-desist letter to Good’s campaign.
The Freedom Caucus, known for its secrecy, declined to comment on Davidson’s removal. “HFC does not comment on membership or internal processes,” a spokesman told Breitbart News.
The official membership list of the caucus is also undisclosed, though it is estimated to have around thirty members.
Last year, the caucus expelled another prominent conservative, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), over her public conflict with members, including Good, regarding then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) leadership.
Despite Greene’s expulsion, only four caucus members, including Good, voted to oust McCarthy.
Former Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) was also ejected from the caucus this year after expressing disillusionment with its direction and Congress in general.
Buck resigned from Congress in March after moderating his voting record and seeking employment with MSNBC or CNN, though he has not secured a position with either network.
Greene later endorsed McGuire, as did McCarthy, who reportedly directed millions to McGuire’s campaign. Tensions within the caucus remain high, and its future direction is uncertain, especially with Good contesting the primary results and a recount underway.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) resigned from the caucus after Monday night’s vote, disagreeing with its current direction. “I respect the HFC and have been aligned with their conservative positions,” Nehls stated to Breitbart News.
“I want to grow the organization and encourage more members to join. With tonight’s vote, it was clear that is not their objective.” He added, “I value what the HFC brings to the table, and I can assure them I will continue to support their conservative agenda. I just won’t be a member.”
Stay tuned to Silent Majority Report.
