The GOP is a dumpster, and Michael Tomasky raises the lid to find the source of the stink: Republicans don’t just fear Trump’s base, they approve of Trump’s destruction of political norms, because that’s the best way their minority party can rig the game to gain permanent power.
Consider the announcement that former CIA chief John Brennan’s security clearance has been revoked (something that happened weeks ago). Even as his handlers were offering pitiful excuses for the petty revenge, Trump blurted the real reason to the Wall Street Journal: He’s part of the witch hunt. Brennan fired back with a New York Times op-ed that essentially said, “Of course he colluded with the Russians. Duh.”
Fox News thrives because Republicans are gullible. How gullible are they?So gullible they talk themselves into believing that a Democratic House would help Trump get re-elected in 2020. In their telling, any attempt at impeachment will boomerang and legislative gridlock would allow Trump to run against a do-nothing Congress. Yeah, you boys should definitely ruo with that.
Here’s why ICE must be abolished (actually replaced, but it triggers MAGAts is you say abolished): Their “skills” boil down to entrapping immigrants who have been cooperating with the agency by checking in on schedule. This will decrease the likelihood of immigrants following the rules, which is just how they like it. Remember, these are the same sort that “hunts” by shooting preserve-raised birds and animals.
Josh Marshall has a good point about Trump’s apparent post-election cognitive decline: He has been obsessed with Russia ever since. Marshall notes that having this hanging over him can’t be helping his mental condition.
Against all odds, one member of Trump’s cabinet seems to have gained something beyond an expense account from the experience. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has taken to telling the truth about energy production — it’s all subsidized, none more so than fossil fuel. This is a big step forward for a former governor of Texas.