The communications director of Rep. Lauren Boebert from Colorado, a firefighter freshman who brags about carrying a gun to work, retired from work after less than two weeks.
Why it mattersThe resignation of Ben Goldey cited last week’s uprising at the Capitol that followed attempts by Boebert and lawmakers to block the certification of Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. The departure of the Hill veteran highlights the deep rift between Republicans over President Trump’s behavior.
What we hear: Goldey said in a statement to Axios, “After the events of January 6, I have decided to leave the office. I wish her and the people of Colorado’s Third District the best.”
Between the lines: Boebert is a strident Trump supporter, firmly on the right flank of the House GOP caucus. She was clear about her positions during her campaign, but they suddenly became politically toxic after last week’s attack.
- Boebert has quickly become a lightning rod by protesting “fraudulent” votes for Biden in a speech on the floor prior to the attack, and by making a show – also in an ad filmed up the hill – of her desire to carry a gun in the Capitol.
- Goldey, on the other hand, has a more established pedigree. Until this year, he was press secretary at the Department of the Interior and previously worked for Senate Leader Mitch McConnell.
Be smart: Goldey’s resignation underscores larger Republican divisions, particularly in the House, where ten GOP members – including conference chairman Rep. Liz Cheney – Voted Wednesday to impeach Trump.
- The same division is evident on the other side of the Capitol. Senator Ted Cruz’s communications director, Lauren Blair Bianchi, also resigned Monday, reportedly on Cruz’s role in the bid to deny certification for Biden.
- Trump has fueled the split since the election by demanding that the president-elect be reversed, sparking violence in the Capitol last week and remaining defiant about his behavior, even as he went for his second impeachment by the House yesterday. was confronted.