A Stubbornly Naive Group of GOP Senators
A small caucus of non-MAGA Republicans keeps falling for the president’s flimsy promises.
TL;DR
- Non-MAGA Republican senators have demonstrated a persistent naivete concerning Donald Trump and his administration.
- Senators Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, and Bill Cassidy were swayed by assurances from Todd Blanche regarding a $1.8 billion fund, only for Blanche to later refuse to pledge DOJ independence.
- Bill Cassidy's vote for Blanche is questioned given his impeachment vote against Trump and Trump's subsequent efforts to defeat him.
- Cassidy's history includes voting for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. based on promises about vaccination policy, which Kennedy later broke.
- Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Blanche, citing the politicization of the Justice Department, but have also been criticized for past votes that surrendered leverage.
- Collins is described as the 'dean of the credulous caucus,' frequently expressing concern but rarely using her power effectively, exemplified by her vote for Brett Kavanaugh despite concerns about Roe v. Wade.
- The senators' credulity appears genuine rather than cynical, as deviations from Trump have led to career-ending challenges or retirements.
- Voters may expect elected officials to be more politically astute than these senators have proven to be.