Emhoff says Teamsters president didn't "have the courage" to oppose Trump

 Second gentleman Doug Emhoff swiped at the head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters during a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Sunday, suggesting Sean O’Brien was “bullied” by former President Donald Trump into not endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and saying he didn’t “have the courage” to oppose Trump.

Emhoff praised local Teamsters chapters in several states, including Pennsylvania, that have independently endorsed Harris after the union declined last week to formally endorse a candidate.

“Even though Trump, you know, bullied the leaders of the Teamsters to not do an endorsement, the Teamster locals are all endorsing her, including right here in Pennsylvania,” Emhoff said. “These Teamsters are not going to listen to some guy in DC who does not have the courage to stand up to Donald Trump, right? Can’t have that.”

In a statement Wednesday, O’Brien, the Teamsters’ president, said the union decided to not endorse a presidential candidate for the first time in three decades because “neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business.” The union also shared internal data showing a majority of members supported Trump over Harris.

Some background: Emhoff’s comments come as Harris campaign seeks to bolster its ties to union members around the country, part of an effort to sure up support among working-class voters who could be crucial to determining the outcome of the election in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania.