Thread by @TheRickWilson

1/ The crisis is upon us. Right now, Ryan and McConnell are convinced this is another Trump bluff, an exercise in his game of media baiting.

They. are. wrong.

2/ They're both worried that their caucus won't push to protect Mueller, and they're right...unless both men choose the answer the call of history and *lead*

3/ They likely will decline to do so because they fear Trump's tweets more than the judgment of history.

I can't *make* them see that this is the Watergate moment, the permanent scar, the brand that never fades.

4/ The to-do list is short, and simple.

- Act like you're the leaders of a COEQUAL branch of government.

- Pass legislation protecting the special counsel and dare him to veto it.

- Ryan and McConnell need to sit privately with Trump and lay down the law.

5/ - Make clear that firing Mueller without cause means impeachment, now or in the new year.

- Work with WH staff, the legislative liaison (Short is smart), and Trump's outside friends to make it clear this is the existential choice.

6/ - Get Rupert, James, and Lachlan on the phone and make it very clear that stoking Trump's rage for their ratings a problem. Better angels first, hammer next.

- Flood the zone with single-subject, small-ball bills. Have an agenda that isn't set by his tweets. Distract him.

7/ Will they? No. Not likely.

Should they?

Why bother? It's only the rule of law and the Republic at stake.