Trump Goes Full Anti-Democratic. Some Republicans Object (Hurray).
Keep up the good work, Republicans
Understanding that it’s smart politics to encourage good behavior in parties heretofore acting badly — the Republicans in their Faustian bargain with former president Donald Trump: Let’s give a hand to those Republicans starting to object to Trump’s post-White House actions.
Last Saturday, Trump went full anti-democratic. At a rally in Texas, burnishing his strongman credentials, Trump vowed to “pardon” the Jan. 6 “patriots,” those who rampaged the U.S. Capitol to “stop the steal” and are now charged with various offenses (also here). Then Sunday, issuing a statement, Trump denounced his Vice-President, Mike Pence, for failing to act on his Constitutional “right” when, on Jan. 6, 2021, as President of the Senate, Pence failed to declare the Electoral College count invalid and instead confirmed Joe Biden’s victory (also here). Per Trump, Pence “could have overturned the election!” (Factcheck: Vice-presidents have no such “right.”)
Just how “anti-democratic” is this? Trying to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power, and trying to do so using violence, is the very definition of insurrection. Insurrection: “a usually violent attempt to take control of a government,” per Merriam-Webster. Insurrection strikes at the…