An important development: Trump's criminality is becoming a genuine wedge issue against Republicans.
Don't be fooled by GOP's outward shows of unity behind Dear Leader. The cracks in the facade are very clear.
Here's some evidence. 1/
(Link to piece)
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
People overlooked this. But when Rep Mike Simpson, a very senior GOPer, told @playbookdc that he opposes defunding Jack Smith, he also directly undermined the entire Trump/GOP argument that the prosecutions are the illegitimate work of the Deep State. 2/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
This is a big deal. A top GOPer essentially admitted Jack Smith is operating within his legit institutional role. As Jamie Raskin told me:
"Mike Simpson just destroyed MAGA-world’s argument that Trump’s prosecution...is fraudulent or in bad faith." 3/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
More from Jamie Raskin on Rep Mike Simpson opposing the defunding of Jack Smith:
“Other Republicans should follow Simpson and stop demonizing the justice system and the rule of law."
This is how Trump’s criming is becoming a wedge against the GOP. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
More evidence that Trump's criminality is becoming a wedge: Vulnerable House Republicans are balking at voting for all the craven things Mike Johnson is offering to shield Trump from the law.
This has happened numerous times now. Evidence below. 5/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
Trump's ritual humiliation of Rs like McConnell on the Hill is all about forcing them to *act as if* the politics of Trump's criming favors the GOP/isn't an issue.
This is spin. The real tell is vulnerable Rs not wanting to vote for shielding Trump. 6/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
Trump is forcing Rs to repeatedly vote on protecting him from the law. That's bad for Rs, full stop.
GOP pretending his criming is a winner is psyops. As I try to show, Ds now get this.
(h/t @brianbeutler @joshtpm for making versions of this point) 7/
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
A link to the full argument at @newrepublic is below. 8/8
newrepublic.com/article/182728…
Related and key from @brianbeutler: Dems have an opening to drive a wedge between Trump and the corporate class. The story is that this class has capitulated. But that doesn't *have* to remain true, just as GOP submission to Trump is only half the story.
offmessage.net/p/the-gops-fin…
Also watch @SimonWDC on Trump/GOP:
"MAGA has been a failed politics. They're doubling down on a politics that keeps losing."
Dominance/submission rituals are about papering this over. But vulnerable Rs are balking at voting to protect Trump right now.
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