A ‘moderate’ Senate Republican is getting new pushback from supporters of President Donald Trump following remarks made during a townhall meeting with constituents late last month.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski revealed this week that she feels anxious about speaking out against President Donald Trump’s tariffs, executive orders, and cuts to federal agencies, claiming they would pose a real threat of political retaliation, Reuters reported.
“We are all afraid,” Murkowski claimed to a summit of nonprofit and tribal leaders.
“It’s quite a statement. But we are in a time and a place where I certainly have not been here before,” she added. “And I’ll tell you, I am oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice, because retaliation is real. And that’s not right.”
“I’m going to use my voice to the best of my ability,” Murkowski said. “I’ve got to figure out how I can do my best to help the many who are so anxious and are so afraid.”
Murkowski’s comments, captured in a video posted by the Anchorage Daily News, were made Monday in response to a question about what she would say to those concerned about policy changes being implemented by President Trump and his advisers.
As one of the few Senate Republicans openly critical of Trump, Murkowski has opposed several of his policies, voted against some Cabinet nominees, and supported repealing tariffs on Canada. She narrowly defeated a Trump-endorsed challenger three years ago, following her vote, alongside six other Republicans, to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial over the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Her remarks drew instant pushback from Trump supporters.
“Lisa Murkowski says ‘we are all afraid’ [n]ow because of Trump… But where was she over the past 4 years when Biden was using lawfare to go after his political opponents?? OhThe White House responded to Murkowski’s claims. “President Trump’s only retribution is success and historic achievements for the American people,” spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Reuters. thats right, she’s really a Democrat,” comedian and entrepreneur Tim Young wrote on X in a post that contained the video clip featuring Murkowski.
Lisa Murkowski says “we are all afraid”. Now because of Trump…
But where was she over the past 4 years when Biden was using lawfare to go after his political opponents??
Oh thats right, she’s really a Democrat.
pic.twitter.com/uIQGY9xwAE— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) April 17, 2025
“She is shameful and disgusting,” another user wrote. “Does she have a primary opponent yet?” one asked.
“Sounds like she’s worried about something? Wonder what skeletons she has in her closet?” said another, while still another X user wrote: “The disconnect, the lies, the exaggeration- so sick of her. She needs to be voted out.”
Meanwhile, the administration continues to work on fulfilling Trump’s major pledges on the campaign trail.
Last week, Vice President JD Vance lauded progress toward a US-India trade accord, saying cooperation between Trump’s administration and that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ensure a “prosperous and peaceful” 21st century.
Speaking in the northern Indian city of Jaipur, Vance also warned of “dire” ramifications in the Indo-Pacific and a “dark time” for the globe if the US-India cooperation fails.
“Critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together,” Vance said, referring to Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and commitment to revitalize U.S. manufacturing.
“Both of our governments are hard at work on a trade agreement built on shared priorities, like creating new jobs, building durable supply chains, and achieving prosperity for our workers. In our meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Modi and I made very good progress on all of those points, and we’re especially excited to formally announce that America and India have officially finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiations,” Vance said.