On Wednesday morning President Donald J. Trump Published on his Social Social Social Platform, slamming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky As a “terrible leader” and claimed that the war president was “a dictator without elections.”
Four hours later, American rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) Shoot one event tweet: “Vladimir Putin is a dictator without elections.”
Fitzpatrick, longtime defender of Ukraine WHO He was stationed in the country as an FBI agent in 2015Then he published a long condemnation of all peace agreements with Russia, which excludes Ukraine and called for the plan to pull Russia to be responsible.
His comments did not mention Trump directly, a man who provoked his overthrow. But the answer, such as Republicans, illustrate the puzzle in the face of GOP members who do not agree with the president, but are guarded before his tendency to retaliation.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not have to and cannot force him to any contract by any external nation that does not guarantee the safety and sovereignty of the Ukrainian nation,” Fitzpatrick, which represents Bucks County, He wrote in a statement about X.
“We all want to immediately end this brutal Russian invasion and killing,” Fitzpatrick continued. “In order for the peace agreement to be honest and durable, this should be done in a way that attracts Russian invaders responsible, protects the dignity of Ukrainian victims and provides an honest and fair division of costs among all European nations.”
Fitzpatrick, a self -styled modeled in a purple district, often avoided speaking everything, good or bad, about Trump. But as the chairman of the home intelligence subcommittee, Chair from the Congress of Ukraine of the Club and a former FBI agent sent in Europe, Fitzpatrick has long been a defender of Ukraine, and his frustration with Trump showed This week.
“He is a sharp guy, he understands his district – and he strongly deals with this matter,” said Chris Nicholas, consultant GOP. “Voters, because they know his origin as an FBI agent, realize that he is in the position. He does not talk about some distant problem he only read about. “
Fitzpatrick has long been cautious in his approach to Trump, avoiding comments about him in 2024, when both men were voting.
Asset He shocked European leaders and rattled his own party members this week when he tightened the attacks on ZelenskyFally claiming that Ukraine began a war with Russia (Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022), and Zelensky’s painting as a mixer in what could be an attempt to tilt the public opinion before the negotiated peace agreement that favors Russia.
Several Republicans joined Fitzpatrick, pushing off without directing to Trump this week. Senator Thom Tillis, a sensitive Republican from North Carolina, who visited Ukraine at the weekend to explore the area devastated by the fight, said that “he is worried about everything that would ultimately allow moral equivalence between Zelensky and Putin.” And Senator Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) On Tuesday said Putin should be “in prison for the rest of his life, if not lost,” because Trump seemed to look for closer connections with the Russian leader.
“While the Republican Party is changing, anti-Russian moods are still traveling for most parties,” Nicholas argued.
Meanwhile, Trump on Friday continued bad that Zelensky, saying, did not think that the president of the country involved in the war with Russia was “very important at meetings.”
Other signs of the Fitzpatrick pushing
Fitzpatrick also commented, defended Snap and Medicare benefitswhich republican leaders of the chambers sought for cuts, and in support of officials As Elon Musk, with the support of Trump, he introduces widespread federal exemptions.
You must watch him carefully to notice. Comments are not in fiery floor speeches, but Social media posts, which chronic the component visits, which he conducts in Bucks.
“This morning it was a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifice, strength and passion of our federal labor force,” he published on Facebook on February 10 after meeting with members of the American Federation of Government Workers (Depreciated) who have released thousands of members over the past few weeks.
“Every day millions of hard -working public officials ensure the effective functioning of our government. They are the spine of our democracy – silent guards who process our social insurance controls, check our food supplies, help our veterans, protect our national security and react to disasters, “Fitzpatrick wrote. “Strong civil service is necessary for strong America.”
Even progressive groups that in the past questioned Fitzpatrick. And at the time when the democrats have little power to counteract Trump’s program, the response of one local group to the muted opposition of Fitzpatrick was not a snap of its subtlety, but encouraging him to continue.
“He pulls his neck a little legislative and we try to make it a bit more assertive,” said Kierstyn Zolfo from Indivisible Bucks County.
Fitzpatrick, which was approved by several federal employee associations, is Conclusion “Act on the salvation of the Civil Service Act”, Bilateral account This would protect positions in the civil service against the political state and would raise protection against the end of the White House. The bill was introduced in the last Congress and re -introduced in the one where it is more essential, taking into account the renovation of the Trump’s federal government. Fitzpatrick, although mentioned as a co -founder, did not publish his relationship with the act.
For Fitzpatrick, election success in recent years can also take into account his political account for sounding. Bucks voted for Trump, but the Fitzpatrick district was narrowly supported by Vice President of Kamali Harris with less than a percentage point. Fitzpatrick Outran Harris in its district 13 points.
Five -time He is also used to overcoming more disturbing contenders in the Republican foundations. He saw another in 2026.
“It is not hypothetical that what he does can cause him to get another pretender,” said Nicholas, GOP consultant. “He lived in every semester.”
