Politics
Trump amplifies calls to replace Miami-area Rep. Salazar over immigration split
President Donald Trump shared more than a dozen social media posts attacking Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar after the Florida Republican criticized his immigration crackdown. The online break comes weeks after Trump endorsed her reelection and as Democrats target her Miami-area district in November.
President Donald Trump on Saturday shared more than a dozen Truth Social posts criticizing Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, including calls to replace the Florida Republican, after she said his administration’s immigration enforcement had gone too far.
The posts mark a sharp turn in the relationship between Trump and Salazar, who represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Trump endorsed her reelection in August, praising her work, and told reporters earlier this week that he still supported her. The White House had not said by Saturday whether he was withdrawing that endorsement.
Salazar, a three-term Cuban American lawmaker, challenged the administration in a campaign ad released last week. Filmed outside the White House, the ad warned that Hispanic voters who backed Trump in 2024 felt betrayed by his immigration policies. Salazar said the enforcement efforts had “gone too far.”
Trump responded to reporters by saying, “I’m very strong on the borders — and she isn’t.” He also claimed his endorsement helped Salazar win her seat in 2020, when she defeated former Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala.
Salazar said earlier this week that she had a “fantastic conversation” with Trump about immigration and that he “listened.” But the president’s latest reposts included a message urging Republicans to find “a NEW Republican to Replace Salazar.” Trump did not directly announce that he was rescinding his endorsement.
Salazar has also faced criticism from Trump allies over the bipartisan Dignity Act, an immigration proposal she supports. The measure would allow some immigrants who have lived in the United States for years and have no criminal record to seek legal status. Salazar argues it is not amnesty because it does not provide a path to citizenship; critics in the MAGA movement have described it as an amnesty proposal.
The dispute reflects a broader divide among Republicans over how aggressively to pursue immigration enforcement. Salazar’s district is more than 70% Hispanic, according to the reported electorate figures, and Democrats have identified the Miami-area seat as a priority in their effort to win seats in November. Salazar won her primary with more than 80% of the vote.