Congressional Cowards is a weekly sequence highlighting the worst Donald Trump defenders on Capitol Hill, who refuse to criticize him—irrespective of how disgraceful or lawless his actions.
In yet one more signal that Donald Trump is the lamest of lame duck presidents, this week GOP lawmakers not solely refused to defend his despicable feedback concerning the homicide of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, however they really referred to as Trump out.
Rob Reiner arrives on the premiere of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” on Sept. 9 at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood in Los Angeles.
From susceptible Home Republicans—possible in search of a suitable place to distance themselves from Trump as they search to outlive in what’s anticipated to be a blue wave in 2026—to Republicans in protected seats, nearly all mentioned that Trump blaming Reiner and his spouse Michelle’s brutal homicide on Reiner’s anti-Trump activism was unacceptable.
Much more stunning is that quite a few the Republicans who commented did it with out being prompted, deciding on their very own that they needed to name out Trump’s deranged Fact Social put up.
“A father and mother were murdered at the hands of their troubled son. We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics,” Rep. Stephanie Bice, who represents an Oklahoma district Trump carried by almost 18 factors, wrote in a put up on X in response to Trump’s remark. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”
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“This statement is wrong,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) wrote in a put up on X in response to a tweet from Trump’s personal White Home, which amplified Trump’s remarks. “Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. It’s a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period.”
Now-frequent Trump critic Rep. Thomas Massie additionally mentioned Trump’s remark went too far.
“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” the Kentucky Republican wrote in a put up on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) additionally mentioned Trump’s put up was improper.
“A wise man sometimes says nothing, because he’s a wise man. I think the president should have said nothing,” Kennedy told reporters. “I think when he makes comments like that, it distracts from his policy achievements and his agenda, and just speaking personally, in America, you can say what you want, but just speaking personally, when another human being is murdered or was the case with Mr. Kirk, assassinated, I think all of us should show them, regardless of their political beliefs, and their families respect.”
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who appears to haven’t any extra fucks to offer now that he is retiring from the Home, additionally slammed Trump.
“I’d anticipate to listen to one thing like this from a drunk man at a bar, not the President of the US. Can the President be presidential?” Bacon informed CNN’s Jake Tapper, the reply to that rhetorical query after all being no.
Sen. Ted Cruz additionally refused to defend Trump’s feedback. The Texas Republican informed reporters, “Psychological well being is a matter that does not know partisan traces. I believe each household in America has handled psychological well being and handled dependancy, and I grieve that on this occasion, it seems to have value Rob Reiner and his spouse their life.”
Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who as soon as harassed survivors of the Parkland college taking pictures, mentioned Trump’s feedback have been past the pale.
“I thought that statement was absolutely completely below the office of the president of the United States, classless, and it was just wrong,” Greene informed CNN.
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After all, there was nonetheless one Republican who was prepared to debase himself within the title of Pricey Chief: Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who seems steadily in Congressional Cowards.
“He was respectful to him, said he was once a really good actor and all that, and pointed out the fact that he didn’t like him at all … I don’t think it was distasteful at all,” Mullin said, without a hint of shame. “The guy does not like Trump and President Trump went out and still ended it in a very nice way.”
However apart from Mullin’s morally bankrupt protection of Trump, Republicans could not carry themselves to defend Pricey Chief this time—a telling signal that as Trump’s reputation continues to sink, threatening the GOP’s congressional majorities, Republicans might now be in search of methods to distance themselves from their orange messiah.
Nonetheless, we can’t maintain our breath for the GOP to defy Trump in legislative battles when it really issues.
Republicans are nonetheless cowards, in any case.
