Staunch Trump ally may bring down embattled Republican: report

Roger Stone, who has influenced the Republican Party since Richard Nixon's presidency, has apparently pushed Republicans to remove Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) from office.

The longtime advisor to President Donald Trump reportedly told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) that it was time for Mills to step down, The Daytona News Journal reported. While Democrats have led calls for Mills to resign or face expulsion, Stone has now publicly called for Mills to withdraw and leave Congress.

Stone has urged Mills to end his re-election bid or be expelled amid a special House ethics subcommittee investigation over sexual violence and/or dating violence against women.

"Rep. Cory Mills told the president that there was no restraining order against him in order to secure a presidential endorsement. Unfortunately, he LIED," Stone wrote on X.

"Time to flush this turd," Stone added.

Mills drafted an expulsion resolution against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) to preempt her from doing the same. She had previously filed a censure measure — reviving a feud that started in November, The News Journal reported.

Stone's comments could mean future challenges for Mills, especially when it comes to support from the president and the GOP.

"Stone is considered an influential confidante of Trump who calls himself an 'agent provocateur,'" according to The News Journal. "The two go way back, long before Trump's 2015 presidential campaign announcement on the Trump Tower escalator."