A small group of Rep. Brandon Gill's fellow House Freedom Caucus members are privately questioning whether he still belongs in the hardline group, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The 32-year-old Texas freshman's rapid rise through House Republican ranks has transformed him into one of the party's most prominent young stars — and earned him a growing list of critics.
Driving the news: Multiple House Republicans told Axios that Gill is the future of their party, but several Freedom Caucus members told Axios that his engagement with the group has faded as his national profile has grown.
- The lawmakers spoke on condition of anonymity to offer candid assessments of a colleague.
- "He's not really in the Freedom Caucus. He's just using it for conservative bonafides," one HFC member told Axios.
- The Freedom Caucus is "livid" at Gill, another member told Axios.
The intrigue: Four sources familiar with the conversations said members have privately discussed kicking Gill out, though the conversations have been informal and the issue has not been raised at a HFC meeting.
- It's unclear if there would be enough support within the group to boot Gill if there ever was a formal vote.
The other side: "Congressman Gill is laser-focused on getting out the vote and ensuring Republicans hold the majority this November," a spokesperson for Gill told Axios in a statement.
State of play: Gill has become a favorite in President Trump's orbit, has won praise from GOP leadership and has launched an ambitious bid to head one of the House's most powerful committees.
- Asked about the criticism from Gill's colleagues, Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) flatly told Axios in an interview earlier this month that Gill "needs to be out front. I don't care where it is," adding, "Brandon is the future of our party, and his communication skills are phenomenal."
- But his ascent has fueled resentment, with colleagues accusing him of burning bridges and treating fellow Republicans as stepping stones to greater power and influence.
Zoom in: Members say Gill benefited from introductions to HFC donors but hasn't adequately financially supported fellow members in difficult races.
- "For those of us who have been in meetings, who have been in the tough votes over the last two years, he's been M.I.A.," one HFC member said, adding that he's "totally looking for the ladder climbing."
- Gill, who is in a R+11 district, raised $4.7 million in the third quarter, a massive haul for a freshman member.
- Gill's office pointed out that he's given to over a dozen HFC members' campaigns.
What they're saying: Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) accused the media of "ginning up stories about Republicans based on anonymous sources," insisting the group is "united and laser-focused" on advancing Trump's agenda.
- One HFC member defended Gill, telling Axios: "I'm glad that young talented patriots like Brandon are not only coming into politics but that they are climbing quickly...Of course I would like to see him stay in HFC."
- "I'm not frustrated with Brandon at all," Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.), also a freshman member of the caucus, told Axios. "He comes to meetings. I don't know why they feel like he doesn't."
"HFC is its own worst enemy sometimes," one GOP member told Axios. "They've managed to kick out, alienate some of their members that help them fundraise."
- The Freedom Caucus has kicked out members before. In 2023, the group voted to oust former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) over a fight with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), and in 2024, the group ousted former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) for "nonattendance."
Friction point: Gill's bid to become the top Republican on the powerful Oversight Committee is also creating friction beyond the Freedom Caucus.
- Republicans Axios spoke with questioned whether Gill's success at generating viral hearing moments makes him qualified to lead the committee, while others have raised concerns about his history of publicly attacking fellow Republicans like Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) over her immigration bill.
- "He's kind of skipping a few steps here, and he doesn't necessarily have the credentials to do it," one House Republican told Axios.
- Gill has also sought to build influence within the broader conference, contributing $1.1 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee in September.
Behind the scenes: A House Republican said Gill stopped returning texts and began treating colleagues differently as his national profile grew, echoing complaints from Gill's Freedom Caucus colleagues.
- The lawmaker told Axios that there was a sentiment among some Republicans that Gill's fame had gone to his head.
- Gill, who is president of his freshman class, is a frequent guest on Fox News, including during coveted primetime hours.
The big picture: The Freedom Caucus is on the cusp of an identity crisis — at least 10 of HFC's more than two dozen members will not return next term, including some of its most prominent voices.
- Gill has been viewed by some in the caucus as someone who could fill that void and emerge as a leading voice for the next generation.
- But the group could gain influence at the highest levels of leadership: Founding member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is being floated as a potential minority leader if Republicans lose the House.
- That could reshape the group's relationship with GOP leadership, which the hard-line caucus has made a habit of challenging.
The bottom line: "He's already kind of left the Freedom Caucus," an HFC member told Axios. "The only question is whether you formalize it or you don't."