Another day, another Republican forgetting who put him in office. This time, it’s Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), a relatively unknown backbencher who decided to take a swipe at President Trump’s cost-cutting measures—and conservatives aren’t happy.
Speaking at a Westerville Area Chamber business luncheon, Balderson whined that Trump’s executive orders were “getting out of control”, specifically taking issue with the president’s push to eliminate wasteful government agencies like the Department of Education. According to Balderson, only Congress has the power to make those decisions—not President Trump, and certainly not Elon Musk, who has been leading the charge to audit the bloated federal bureaucracy.
NEW: Republican Ohio Congressman Troy Balderson told a group yesterday in his district that President Trump's executive orders are “getting out of control.” pic.twitter.com/bMTGalbA1f
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 21, 2025
“Congress has to decide whether or not the Department of Education goes away. Not the president, not Elon Musk. Congress decides.”
🚨New: Ohio GOP Congressman Troy Balderson slams Trump and Musk for wanting to rid of the Department of Education
“Congress has to decide whether or not the Department of Education goes away. Not the president, not Elon Musk. Congress decides”
He is a member of Main Street GOP. pic.twitter.com/mwXw5lSNNz
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) February 21, 2025
Really, Troy? That’s the hill you’re going to die on? The same Department of Education that has been shoving leftist indoctrination down our kids’ throats for decades? The same agency Trump is finally reining in? It’s a bold move to side with Washington bureaucrats over the man who just won Ohio by double digits.
Almost immediately, Balderson’s comments sparked backlash from Trump supporters online. The predictable calls for a primary challenger in 2026 came rolling in, with X users roasting the congressman for undermining the America First agenda. One user put it bluntly:
“I guess he is desperate to retire.”
Meanwhile, Kate Austin, a well-known MAGA influencer, encouraged conservatives to find a primary opponent to take him down. Given Trump’s iron grip on the Republican base, Balderson just painted a massive target on his back.
Balderson isn’t the only one feeling the wrath of Trump’s base. Down in Georgia, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) faced angry constituents at a Thursday night town hall in Roswell. Voters grilled him over Trump’s deep cuts to the federal bureaucracy, prompting McCormick to squirm his way through a response.
“Trump is trying to do more with less, that’s reasonable – what’s not reasonable is taking this chainsaw approach.”
That “chainsaw approach” is exactly what millions of Americans voted for. Bureaucratic bloat has plagued D.C. for decades, and Trump is doing what Republicans have promised to do for years—but never had the backbone to follow through on.
Both Balderson and McCormick will soon face a defining test: Will they stand with President Trump or cave to the D.C. establishment? Next month, Congress must pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded, and Trump is demanding a two-year debt ceiling extension and permanent tax cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will have to hold the line against moderates and fiscal hawks—but with weak-kneed Republicans like Balderson already throwing shade at Trump, expect some fireworks.
One thing is clear: Trump’s base isn’t tolerating GOP betrayals anymore. Balderson better enjoy his seat while he still has it—because MAGA doesn’t forget.