GOP supports president who endangered their lives

              

 

It’s an understatement to say President Trump endangered the lives of all 535 Congresspersons during the Capitol siege he orchestrated Wednesday. He nearly got some of them killed.

 

One Trump zealot, an Air Force vet, was shot dead trying to get at the congresspersons Trump charged stole his presidency. Four others died, including a Capitol Cop. We watched in horror as another cop was nearly crushed to death by the howling mob sent by Trump to stop the ceremonial vote certifying his defeat.

 

Trump broke his promise at the pre insurrection pep rally to lead the march on American democracy, preferring to host a watch party with family and fellow conspirators at the White House. He abstained from calling in reinforcements, forcing Vice President Pence, the latest target of Trump’s scorn, to order in the cavalry. Good thing. The rioters wanted a piece of Pence for disobeying treason orders.

How did the 263 Republicans react when order was restored hours later to complete the ceremonial vote? While Democrats began calling for Trump’s resignation or impeachment, 147, over half, voted to decertify Biden’s victory in support of Trumps treason.

 

The dead, the smashed up citadel of American democracy smeared with the feces the rioters left behind, made little dent of decency on the other half who voted against treason. All but a handful cower now, not from the long gone mob, but from the 77% of Republicans who support Trump’s presidency, including treason. They refuse to break with a monstrous criminal who belongs, not in the White House, but in the Big House.

 

Republican senators Toomey, Murkowski and Sasse want Trump to resign and will consider impeachment if he doesn’t. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who votes with Trump 92% of the time, was the sole Republican to warn of Trump inspired violence before the riot, the polls favoring Trump be damned.

 

Four profiles in courage among 263 Republicans is a sad commentary on how far the Party of Lincoln has descended. The rest? Hey, if their Leader is supported by 77% of base, even possible death at his hand is insufficient to bring him to justice.