Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has dismissed President Donald Trumpās criticism
Last week, Murkowski became the target for one of Trumpās attacks on Twitter.
Due to her support of former Defense Secretary James Mattisā criticism of Trump following his threat to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act, the president, in turn, threatened to not support Murkowskiās re-election campaign.
On Monday, Murkowski weighed in on Trumpās latest threat, standing by her comments in support of Mattis.
āI made the comments that I made,ā Murkowski told CNN, adding, āI stand by them.ā
Murkowski went on to discuss the importance of leadership qualities she believes a president should possess, noting the tone and words the president uses.
āAgain, I think itās important that we have a president who is working to bring people together. ā¦ And tone and words matter.ā Murkowski added, āI cannot live in fear of a tweet. Thatās where I am now.ā
After Murkowskiās comment in support of Mattis, Trump wrote, āFew people know where theyāll be in two years from now, but I do, in the Great State of Alaska (which I love) campaigning against Senator Lisa Murkowski.ā
He added, āGet any candidate ready, good or bad, I donāt care, Iām endorsing. If you have a pulse, Iām with you!ā
Despite being fellow members of the Republican party, Trump and Murkowski have had a strained working relationship for quite some time.
Back in 2016, Murkowski actually made it clear that she had no interest in supporting Trumpās presidential campaign despite him clinching the nomination.
However, Republican senators still do not believe their opposition is worth jeopardizing a Senate seat.
In the wake of Trumpās latest threats toward Murkowski, her Republican senators are urging him to leave back off of his threat.
āIād leave Lisa alone. Sheās a member of our conference, and we want to keep it that way,ā said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) also weighed in on Trumpās tweet admitting that he does not support the presidentās threat āat all.ā