Republicans told us who they are, Charlie Sykes wrote Monday. “Mad respect for the seven GOP senators who voted to convict Donald Trump,” he wrote, but they do not represent the party anymore (emphasis in original):
Let’s run the numbers from the last few weeks:
- The number of Republicans who backed the Texas lawsuit to overturn the presidential election: 126;
- The number of Republicans who voted against certifying the electoral votes of Pennsylvania: 138;
- The number of Republicans who voted to protect conspiracy theorist/bigot Marjorie Taylor Greene’s committee assignments: 199;
- The number of House Republicans who voted against impeachment: 197;
- And then Saturday’s vote. Overall the pro-Trump GOP vote (in the House and Senate): 240-17.
This is Donald Trump’s party. But worse.
Over the last five years, Republicans have shown willingness to accept — or least ignore — lies, racism, and xenophobia.
But now it is a party that is also willing to acquiesce to sedition, violence, extremism, and anti-democratic authoritarianism.
Maybe there is still hope for some. A lightbulb coming on, a “come to Jefferson” moment, a glance in a mirror and seeing Dorian Gray’s alter image staring back. But I’m too scarred to hope for it.