Republicans In Congress Are TERRIFIED Of Trump And His ‘Horde Of Enforcers’

Donald Trump ran roughshod over his GOP opponents in the 2016 Republican primaries. It was a scorched Earth style campaign that left his foes, not just beaten, but humiliated. He didn’t merely challenge their policy positions or leadership skills, he used language meant to shame them. Fellow Republicans were viciously maligned as “Lyin’ Ted’ and “Little Marco.” Eventually Trump succeeded in capturing the nomination, but not without leaving bodies on the battlefield.

Trump/Bannon

Those same tactics are now being deployed against the Republicans in Congress. Many of them are saying privately that they are fearful of taking positions against Trump. That poses a critical problem because their traditionally conservative views are often at odds with Trump’s twisted brand of populism. Trumpulism favors cordial relations with Russia and its strongman Vladimir Putin. It proposes to spend a trillion dollars on infrastructure improvements, mainly benefiting wealthy contractors. It is critical of the U.S. alliance with NATO. It would impose stiff tariffs on American companies with foreign factories. All of these positions are in direct opposition to decades of Republican doctrine.

The problem now is that Republicans are literally afraid to speak their minds. They have been warned by Trump and his surrogates that any diversion from total obedience to his agenda would be viewed as betrayal. As reported by Politico:

“It’s little wonder that Capitol Hill Republicans have papered over their not-insignificant policy differences with Trump, shying away from any statement about the president-elect that might possibly be construed as critical. They’re terrified of arousing the ire of their tempestuous new leader — or being labeled a turncoat by his army of followers.” […]

“Since the election, numerous congressional Republicans have refused to publicly weigh in on any Trump proposal at odds with Republican orthodoxy, from his border wall to his massive infrastructure package. The most common reason, stated repeatedly but always privately: They’re afraid of being attacked by Breitbart or other big-name Trump supporters.”

The threat from Breitbart is a real concern. Especially since its chairman, Stephen Bannon, is currently on leave to serve as Trump’s strategic advisor in the White House. But it doesn’t stop there. As South Carolina GOP Rep. Mark Sanford said, “People are naturally reticent to be the first out of the block for fear of Sean Hannity, for fear of Breitbart, for fear of local folks.”

Texas Rep. Bill Flores can attest to Sanford’s worries. After he made some rather tame remarks at a conservative conference, the Trump enforcers snapped into action. Breitbart began with an article condemning Flores for plotting to “stifle Trump’s campaign promises.” Sean Hannity of Fox News picked up the story and added his own vitriolic objections. He implied that Flores was using code to tell Trump to “Go to hell.” Subsequently, Flores was showered with complaints that included predictions of the end of his political career and even death threats. Never mind that he is one of the most conservative members of the House and a co-founder of its arch right-wing Freedom Caucus.

The media component of Trump’s Crusaders is a key to their intimidation tactics. They have the power of Fox News as well as dozens of other right-wing media outlets. Strain all of that through Facebook and Twitter and you get a powerful amplification of their defamatory propaganda.

How Fox News Deceives and Controls Their Flock:
Fox Nation vs. Reality: The Fox News Cult of Ignorance.
Available now at Amazon.

The rest of the GOP caucus is learning a lesson from this. They are choosing to keep their mouths shut rather than risk offending Trump or his defenders. The StormTrumpers stand at the ready to crucify any Republican they view as disloyal or insufficiently resolute. It’s a chilling state of affairs that impinges on the core principles of democracy. And in that regard, it should not be a surprise coming from the Trump camp. His authoritarian leanings have been apparent from the start of his campaign. And since it’s clear that Republicans can’t be relied upon to defend democracy, Democrats better be prepared to do it.

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10 thoughts on “Republicans In Congress Are TERRIFIED Of Trump And His ‘Horde Of Enforcers’

  1. At some point the mainstream Republicans will break away from the Trumpigarchy. Although I am a strong liberal, I think there are some Republicans who have not sold their soul to the orange Tribble head.

    • Not nearly enough of them as he is their candidate. Perhaps his hair will explode in a helicopter’s blades and we’ll be done with him in spectacular fashion.

  2. What the hell did they think that clown was going to do? He’s been bat crap crazy since he was born.. It’s like letting the drunk stranger check out your new pistol … Oh shit, now he’s got it in his hands…. Well ya!! Dumb bastards .

  3. The “Dumpster, eh, Trumpster” is reminiscent of the German politics of the early ’30s. His appeal is to those so lacking in self esteem that they must try to find an “other” to demonize. Drumpf must be met at every turn, in the government and on the street, with derision, criticism, resistance and loathing. Tribble head indeed and one with ignorant, savage and evil followers. No Trump, no how.

  4. Yes ,yes and a very merry Christmas to ALL of you!!!!

  5. After years of calling Obama a tyrant the GoP now face an actual tyrant, and his authoritarian followers, who has yet to even assume power and….

    …what’s with this drastically different reaction?

    Hello? How are you going to oppose ISIS like this?

    • I said once that Donald J Trump was EVERYTHING the ReThuglicans always accused Barack Obama of being (with the possible exception of being a Kenyan Muslim born in Australia, and even THAT is questionable — well, at least as to our Fuhrer’s hair). Yet, they praise Trump for these attributes, while still condemning Obama for the exact same reason. How exactly can the ReThuglicans continue to be so completely obtuse to the irony?

      • “How exactly can the ReThuglicans continue to be so completely obtuse to the irony?”

        It’s easy if their belief/reason toggle switch in their brain is permanently set to belief. There is no cognitive dissonance when reason is turned off. They believe everything that confirms their bias and willingly ignore any and all contradictory evidence.

        Although, it is still hard to understand how this happens.
        Sigh!

  6. Well then, they NEED to grow a pair and STAND up to that garbage stain TDump and his thugs. They NEED to tell his thugs to screw off.

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