Flake denounces Trump, announces retirement

WASHINGTON—Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday he’ll retire at the end of his term, citing irreconcilable differences with the president and the Republican party. “There are times when we must risk our careers in favor of our principles,” Flake said on the Senate floor. “I rise today to say ‘enough.’” The junior senator from Arizona is a frequent critic of President Donald Trump. He refused to endorse Trump in 2016 and wrote a book condemning the president for not being conservative enough. Flake said he could better serve the people of Arizona without the anvil of having to appease Republican voters during the Trump era. “We must never accept the deadly sundering of our country. The personal attacks, threats against principles and freedoms and institutions, and flagrant disregard for decency,” he said in an impassioned speech. “And when such behavior emanates from the top of our government, it is something else. It is dangerous to a democracy.” Flake said he looks forward to finishing out the remaining 14 months of his term with independence. Flake’s would-be Republican primary challenger, Trump supporter and former state Sen. Kelli Ward, praised the announcement on Twitter. She called Flake stepping down a big win for Arizona voters.