Trump Calls Kemp, Ralston And Duncan ‘RINOs,’ Endorses Buckhead Cityhood

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia Republicans have once again fallen into former President Donald Trump’s bad graces, this time over Buckhead cityhood — or lack thereof.

On Saturday, weeks after Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston blocked the path for legislation to bring a de-annexation referendum before voters in November, Trump got wind and spoke out, via his Save America political action committee.

“What is happening in the City of Atlanta is nothing short of disgraceful,” he said in a statement. “It’s national news and a regional embarrassment. The good people of Buckhead don’t want to be part of defunding the police and high crime that is plaguing their communities.”

Ralston said he wanted to give new Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens a chance to improve the rate of crime in the city, hinting that the option to cleave Buckhead from Atlanta was not off the table for next year’s legislative session if things didn’t change. Bill White, the leader of the cityhood movement and a former Trump lobbyist, continues to push for the current bills to pass this year.

Trump, however, called Ralston and Duncan RINOs (Republican In Name Only) and lumped them and other GOP state lawmakers together with Gov. Brian Kemp, whom he blames for the presidential and U.S. Senate election losses in Georgia.

“RINOs like Governor Brian Kemp, the man responsible, along with his puppet master Mitch McConnell, for the loss of two Senate Seats and 2020 Presidential vote, Lt. Governor (Geoff) Duncan, Speaker David Ralston, and State Senators Butch Miller, Jeff Mullis and John Albers always talk a big game but they don’t deliver,” Trump said. “What good is having Republican leaders if they aren’t willing to fight for what they campaigned on?”

While Miller (Macon) is part of the Republican Senate leadership under the Gold Dome behind Duncan, it is unclear why the former president singled out Buckhead cityhood supporters Mullis (Chickamauga) and Albers (Roswell).

Related:

• Buckhead Cityhood Movement 'Will Never End,' Supporters Say
• Buckhead City Won't Make 2022 Legislative Agenda: House Speaker
• Buckhead Cityhood Opponent GA Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan Speaks Out
• Perdue Challenge For Governor An Attempt To 'Carry Trump's Water'
• Kemp, Trump Battle Over Tossing Out GA Presidential Electors