Former Congressman Will Hurd received a hostile reception at the Iowa Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner after openly expressing his criticism of former President Donald Trump. Hurd, who is currently running for the GOP presidential nomination, made bold statements about Trump’s motivations, suggesting that the former president is running to “avoid legal consequences.” The displeasure of the crowd was evident as they booed Hurd both in person and during the event’s live stream.

Hurd taking a stand against Trump is particularly notable as many Republican candidates have been hesitant to directly challenge Trump’s authority within the party. Despite facing a tough audience, Hurd continued with his speech, although the boos persisted throughout.

Trump’s legal issues, including the recent indictment related to the mishandling of classified documents, have been attracting significant attention. Hurd’s criticism further adds to the ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s actions.

Hurd’s presidential campaign has faced challenges in gaining momentum on the national stage, despite his three-term service representing Texas in the US House. It is not expected that he will qualify for the first Republican presidential debate next month.

It’s worth noting that Trump had not yet addressed Iowa Republicans during the event where Hurd shared his views. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has distanced himself from Trump, also spoke at the event earlier in the evening, emphasizing that it was not the appropriate time for candidates to discuss their differences.

The event holds significant importance as Iowa is the host of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, marking the beginning of the actual voting process for the GOP presidential nomination in less than six months.