Politics in Washington is truly in turmoil. Most of the blame for Washington’s dysfunctionality is a result of years of confrontational—non-consensual compromise—performance conducted largely by the Republican Party. To be clear, the Democrats are not entirely blame free, but since the mid-1990’s the Republican Party has been on a rampage deeply roiling the basic institutions of American democracy and rejecting traditional norms of American politics. Their challenges have gone so far as to raise the fear in many circles that the Trump led wing of the GOP is ready to challenge the essence of democratic beliefs and behavior.
This mini revolution began in the 1990’s when House Speaker Newt Gingrich was ousted from the speakership after four years in power. President George Bush may have brought electoral success for his party in 2000, but he enmeshed the nation in his distorted military efforts in a dramatically escalated war against Iraq and Afghanistan following the 9/11 attack.
After four years in power as Speaker, John Boehner resigned the speakership in 2015 just as it was becoming clear he might lose the gavel as a motion to vacate was about to be presented by members of his own caucus. His successor, Paul Ryan, led the Republican Party for less than four years. After he lost the speakership after the 2018 election Ryan was so frustrated that he did not even run seek re-election when his term expired in 2020. It has been Donald Trump, however, since he came down the escalator in Trump Towers in 2015, who has been responsible for the accelerating Republican attacks on the American political system and the efficacy of the Republican Party.
The disfunction in the House Republican Party which came to a head again this week, reflected far more problems than a debate over a possible federal government shutdown. It was proof that there is a group of House Republicans from solidly “red” congressional districts who do not respect the institutions of Government. The nation was being held hostage by approximately 21 (they really only needed five) extreme House Republicans who may never be or even want to be satisfied with a consensual, traditional leader.
They have no compunctions about letting the Government fail. Even House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in his final effort to save his speakership, made it clear that he was more interested in saving his own skin and his leadership position, than working out legislative compromises. The Democrats were unwilling to serve as McCarthy’s savior because of his consistent pattern of reneging on agreements, his willingness to grovel at the chalice of Donald Trump, and his Republican failed leadership.
While McCarthy was going down as Speaker, former President Trump continued to preside over and/or encourage the repudiation of core democratic principles and values. This has reached a point where today the future of all the fundamental institutions of Government is at risk following Trump’s petulance as President, candidate, and—most recently—as defendant. His most latest focus occurred in New York as he ridiculed America’s courts before which he is currently facing four criminal indictments consisting of 91 charges at both the federal and state level. This week he sought to undermine the integrity of the New York State Civil Court, which is deciding his liability in the civil fraud case. Trump has sought to galvanize the American people as he has savaged the court system during every public moment he could muster outside the courtroom.
Most observers have suggested that the matter of the disposition of Trump’s assets is considered by the former President to be his most embarrassing to say nothing of the likelihood that it could cost him hundreds of millions of dollars. It was in that setting that Trump displayed his most crass style of showmanship before the public and the press. He demonstrated to his base that he is not only innocent, but that he rejects the very institutions of the Government which he alleges are unfair, biased, rigged, and corrupt. Trump personally attacked the Judge, the Attorney-General, and Court staff.
The institutions of Government created by the Founding Fathers almost 250 years ago operate under rules and norms which the Republicans are increasingly rejecting. Chaos and disruption constitute the Trump modus operandi and has now also become normative for the likes of Representative Matt Gaetz and his personal House wrecking crew. There is a level of self-righteous arrogance and dismissiveness that Gaetz displayed on the House Floor as he introduced his motion to vacate the Republican’s own elected Speaker. Even the disgraced former speaker, Newt Gingrich, suggested that Gaetz should be expelled by the Republicans from the House. Considering his experience in 1998, Gingrich understands how dramatically the public can react to a leader and a party in disarray. Having presided over the House as it engaged in partisan shenanigans, Gingrich saw the Republicans lose control even in the midst of the impeachment process of President Bill Clinton.
These actions alone give credence to the theory that the Grand Old Party--at the very least--is ready to blow up the very institutions which constitute the fabric of this nation.
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