Donald Trump is taking the Republican Party down with him
Once upon a time, the Republican Party wasn’t all that bad. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 in part to oppose the expansion of slavery into the U.S. territories. The first Republican President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, still ranks among the most popular and effective leaders in our nation’s nearly 250-year history.
To stay relevant over decades and centuries, all political parties must adapt to new challenges and changing realities. However, today’s GOP has degenerated into a cult that operates without a spine, moral compass, or brain. Party leaders formalized this transformation in 2020 when they ditched an official convention platform in favor of adopting a sycophantic statement supporting Donald Trump and his America First charade.
If you look carefully today, you might spot a Republican appearing to sort of, kind of take a step in the right direction. However, such rare occurrences aren’t profiles in courage or blueprints for integrity. Each one is a bizarrely disappointing episode that serves as a reminder that today’s GOP is morally, intellectually, and practically incapable of pursuing progress, promoting dignity, and solving problems.
Upon learning that his Tulsa rally conflicted with Juneteenth last year, Trump seemingly took a step in the right direction by rescheduling it. But this act wasn’t fueled by a sobering realization of Juneteenth’s significance. Trump and his handlers only feared that proceeding with the rally on that date could prove costly politically. Thanks to Michael C. Bender’s new book, Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost, we now know that a Black Secret Service agent telling Trump to his face that it’s “very offensive” is what prompted the change.
GOP Rep. John Curtis seemingly took a step in the right direction this week by launching a “Conservative Climate Caucus,” which, he told reporters, “is a place for Republicans to advance serious climate solutions.” The problem is the group’s tepid agenda does nothing to allay the suspicion that it’s a political strategy to attract more independent voters. Plus, Curtis’ warning that caucus members must not be asked “to leave their conservative values at the door” isn’t reassuring.
Finally, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent apology about her hurtful Holocaust comments also appeared to be a step in the right direction. However, her claim to have suddenly gained an understanding of the Holocaust’s horrors from a museum visit—despite her education, her position as a member of Congress, and even a trip to Auschwitz as a young adult—seems suspiciously implausible. Greene’s apology also lacked any commitment to follow through by combatting Holocaust denial or standing up to hate in general.
There is only one political party in America today with elected leaders who persistently strive to do the right thing. Unlike the GOP, Democratic steps in the right direction—from getting Americans vaccinated to rebuilding our infrastructure to eradicating inequality and more—are both genuine and abundant. As the Democratic Party’s efforts continue producing tangible and sizeable results, America is benefiting, and voters are noticing.
Ron Leshnower is a lawyer and the author of several books, including President Trump’s Month