A Republican municipal chair in Pennsylvania, Matthew McCaffery, is facing potential repercussions after publicly declaring his intention to vote against Donald Trump in the upcoming election. McCaffery, who serves as the GOP chair in Upper Merion Township, expressed his disillusionment with Trump in a recent op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he urged others to consider voting for a Democrat this year.
McCaffery, who had supported Trump in 2016, criticized the former president’s behavior, particularly his reported refusal to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris. “When Donald Trump was invited to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris, where thousands of Americans killed in combat are buried, he refused and called the heroes buried there ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,'” McCaffery wrote. “I don’t agree with Joe Biden on a lot, but he had enough honor to visit the cemetery and pay his respects.”
Reflecting on his past support for Trump, McCaffery added, “Trump spits in the face of the sacrifice we veterans made, and I cannot believe I brought myself to vote for him in 2016.” In a determined effort to prevent Trump from securing a second term, McCaffery has even made a video for Republican Voters Against Trump. However, his outspoken stance has led to a formal complaint against him, potentially leading to a disciplinary hearing if he refuses to resign.
While acknowledging that he may have violated party rules or bylaws, McCaffery defended his actions, stating, “The way I look at it is: I didn’t commit 34 felonies; I haven’t been found liable for sexual misconduct; I haven’t dragged our country through one of the worst days in our history on Jan. 6.”
Christian Nascimento, chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, commented on the situation, emphasizing the party’s expectations. “It’s probably not in a person’s best interest to be a committee person if they feel they can’t support the party’s candidates, including for president,” Nascimento said. He further noted that the party’s bylaws clearly state that committee members are expected to support the endorsed ticket.
As McCaffery faces the possibility of being ousted from his position, his case highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party as it heads into the 2024 election, with some members increasingly vocal about their opposition to Trump’s leadership.