Massie’s Kentucky Loss Extends Trump Purge of Republican Critics

Rep. Thomas Massie‘s decisive primary defeat underscored the swift political retribution that can befall any Republican who falls out of favor with President Donald Trump — especially if you represent a Trump-friendly district or state.

The president often has a golden touch for candidates he endorses. Whether his intervention is good or bad for the Republican Party in the long run is an open question.

Massie lost 55%-45% to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who was Trump’s hand-picked candidate. Trump prizes unconditional allegiance, but Massie was an irritant to the president on fiscal policy, war powers, and the ...