Ever since Donald Trump was elected president and began tampering with the tenants of our democracy and then befriending foreign dictators, the Republican Party in general and the party leadership, in particular, have been curiously silent.
Consider Trump’s scandalous actions and behavior since his election in 2016:
- Enlisting Russia’s illegal assistance in winning the 2016 election.
- The cover- up of hush money to a porn star.
- Using the influence of his high office to illegally profit his personal business interests. The most recent example is using our Ambassador to the U.K. to attempt a transfer of The Open Golf Tournament to Trump’s private golf course in Scotland.
- Obstructing the Department of Justice with the help of one of his sycophant appointees, Bob Barr, The Attorney General.
- His Ukrainian extortion scheme that resulted in his impeachment.
- Finally, and inexcusably, his delayed reaction in confronting the coronavirus pandemic.
What Trump’s followers should realize is that their silence and support abrogates their responsibility not only as independent legislators but also as moral examples of governance. They owe at least that much to the constituents who elected them.
Their failure to understand that by keeping silent, they are giving Trump a license to ignore human decency and empathetic behavior. In effect, they are enabling him, just as his father did, to legitimize selfishness and spite. Now, because of the support, even encouragement he is getting from congressional Republicans, especially from majority leader McConnell, he is able to debase innocent people and undermine our constitutional democracy. They have helped to create a sociopathic monster who will eventually destroy their political party and severely damage our country for years to come.