A Primary Is Not a Rebellion, It’s What Happens When You Betray Your Party Base

Patriots, once again, the Republican anxiety couch has been dragged into the living room. The alarm bells are ringing. Chicken Little, the sky is falling. Why? Because Adam DeRito is primarying incumbent Gabe Evans in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.

And apparently, to some people, that’s an outrage.

Let me say this slowly so even the professional excuse-makers can keep up:

That. Is. The. Entire. Point. Of. A. Primary.

Primaries are not loyalty oaths. They are not coronations. They are not “shut up and fall in line” ceremonies for politicians who wander off the reservation and hope no one notices. They exist so voters can decide whether their representative is still representing them, or has decided to audition for polite applause

in Washington.

And in this case, the large portion of the base noticed.

Why? Because Gabe Evans co-sponsored the Dignity Act, a bill that, no matter how aggressively it’s marketed, is amnesty. Amnesty for people who knowingly broke federal law by entering this country illegally. And yes, let’s be crystal clear for the gaslighters in the back:

Illegal entry into the United States is a federal crime.

Not a misunderstanding. Not a paperwork issue. A crime.

Now let’s address the go-to talking point of the Evans defense squad:

“But Trump endorsed him!” Correct. And here’s where facts become inconvenient. Timeline matters:

· April 28, 2025 — Donald J. Trump endorses Gabe Evans.

· July 15, 2025 — Gabe Evans becomes a co-sponsor of the Dignity Act.

Does anyone with a functioning brain honestly believe that Donald Trump, whose political mission is shutting down the border and removing illegal aliens, would have endorsed Gabe Evans after he backed an amnesty bill?

No. He wouldn’t have. And pretending otherwise is intellectual dishonesty wrapped in a fairy tale.

Trump endorsed Evans before the Dignity Act came to light. Period. End of story.

And this isn’t just some abstract policy debate. Look at what’s been uncovered in Minnesota, specifically involving Somali refugee and immigrant networks. We’re talking about massive fraud schemes, siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars from U.S. taxpayers. COVID relief fraud. Food assistance fraud.

Systematic abuse of programs meant to help Americans in need.

These weren’t victimless accounting errors. This was organized theft, your money, my money—ripped straight out of the system while politicians lectured us about “compassion.”

So, forgive grassroots conservatives if they’re not thrilled about Congress handing out amnesty like party favors to a bunch of thieves.

When you tell people who violated federal law, drained public resources, and undermined national sovereignty, “Don’t worry, you can stay,” you don’t get to act shocked when voters revolt.

And that brings us to Adam DeRito.

DeRito didn’t wake up one morning and decide to play spoiler. He’s a decorated veteran, a relentless advocate for military justice, and a man who fought the U.S. Air Force Academy for his own reputation and didn’t back down. He’s lived accountability, not just tweeted about it. He works in Washington on veterans’ issues. He’s engaged on energy, national security, and border enforcement. In other words, he actually reflects the values the grassroots keep demanding.

This primary didn’t have to happen. Gabe Evans could have reversed course. He could have said, “I made a mistake. Amnesty is wrong. Illegal immigration is illegal. Federal law matters.” Conservatives forgive humility. What they don’t forgive is arrogance followed by silence.

Instead, he doubled down. So now there’s a primary. And that’s not division—that’s consequences. If you’re angry about Adam DeRito running, ask yourself why. If you’re still defending an amnesty co-sponsor without demanding accountability, ask yourself what you really believe.