Trump buckles; flag will be half-mast for McCain. This is one of those reminders that when the criticism is intense and universal enough, Trump *does* crack and reverse course. 1/
Trump's family separation policy was the other big example of universal condemnation followed by T losing his nerve. At first, Trump insisted it was outside his control. But when he couldn't take the heat, he ordered a halt. (Admin continues to fail to reunite 100s of families.)
Look closely, and you'll see a number of other instances where Trump took a position, got blowback, and retreated—even if the retreats were often half-hearted or later reversed. The fact is, given enough pressure, Trump nearly *always* breaks down.
theatlantic.com/international/…
theatlantic.com/international/…
The fact that Trump doesn't have the guts to stick to his guns suggests a reality that other elected Republicans would rather ignore: it's on them. If they genuinely object to Trump's policies or behavior, they can do something about it—and succeed.
Prominent Republicans have the option of simply joining hands with infuriated Democrats and outraged independents and calling for Trump behaviors to stop. When they do, it works. Which means, when they don't, they share the responsibility for what Trump does.
Once Trump is disgraced & out of office, prominent Republicans will attempt to rewrite their personal histories. They'll backfill a noble, principled opposition to Trump's corruption & extremism. Blot out cowed acquiescence—or gleeful complicity. Don't let them get away with it.
The time when principled Republican opposition to Trump and Trumpism would matter is *now,* when Republicans hold all of the former levers of power. NOW, when they're suppressing oversight. NOW, when they're rushing to confirm a get-out-of-jail-free card to the Supreme Court.
If Trump is impeached, it'll take Republican senators to convict. Perhaps other moments will come when Republican courage actually matters. But the only really significant moment yet was the night McCain, Collins, and Murkowski turned their thumbs down in the well of the Senate.
If only the Republicans who raised a public and private firestorm about Trump's remembrances of McCain could display some courage in non-symbolic battles with this administration. Not holding my breath. But it's clear that they have more power than they care to admit.
As @JamesFallows writes, it would only take a single Republican senator to check Trump.
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
A single Republican senator on the Finance Committee—where the GOP holds a one-vote majority, and which is empowered by a 1924 law to obtain any citizen's tax returns—could ensure that the world gets to see Trump's taxes.
politico.com/magazine/story…
politico.com/magazine/story…
