Welcome to the second installment of Every day Kos’ new sequence that tracks the ridiculous excuses Republicans make to defend Pricey Chief Donald Trump and his lawless and merciless actions.
This week, Trump imposed tariffs on the US’ greatest buying and selling companions, unilaterally shuttered the U.S. Company for Worldwide Improvement. He additionally mentioned he desires to expel Palestinians from the Gaza strip so he can flip it right into a resort.
Moreover, Trump let co-President Elon Musk and his crew of racist and unqualified DOGE minions have entry to the Treasury Division’s cost system that disburses trillions of {dollars} and accommodates Individuals’ delicate private information.
In case you thought that any of these insane actions would draw criticism from Republicans, nicely, you would be improper.
Republicans twisted themselves in knots to defend Trump and Musk.Right here’s how Republicans reacted to Trump this week.
On Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of the federal authorities
Republicans are infamous for railing towards “unelected bureaucrats” within the federal authorities. However now that Trump made Musk into probably the most highly effective unelected bureaucrat in authorities, permitting him to unilaterally shutter federal businesses, halt federal spending already accredited by Congress, and have entry to the Treasury Division cost system that doles out trillions in federal spending yearly, Republicans are high quality with it.
“I think the administration has every right to demand accountability and transparency in all these programs,” Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, instructed NPR about Musk’s position in shuttering USAID.
Speaker Mike Johnson was requested particularly at a Feb. 5 information convention in regards to the sudden change of coronary heart Republicans have had with unelected bureaucrats.
“Is there an inconsistency with Republicans railing against ‘unelected bureaucrats’ in charge and yet ceding Article 1 powers to the executive branch under Elon Musk?” Fox Information’ Chad Pergram requested Johnson.
“I think there’s a gross overreaction in the media to what’s happening,” Johnson mentioned. “The executive branch of government in our system has the right to evaluate how executive branch agencies are operating to ensure that not only the intent of Congress in funding mechanisms, but also the stewardship of precious American tax dollars, is being handled well. That’s what they’re doing.”
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, additionally defended Musk, at the same time as his actions to shutter USAID might have devastating impacts for farmers in her personal state, because the company bought hundreds of thousands price of corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, vegetable oil, and peas from Midwest farms.
“It is going to be a very aggressive movement on the part of Republicans, President Trump, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, so the Democrats need to get used to this,” Ernst mentioned. “We are going to find ways to focus our American taxpayer dollars on the things that they should be spent on, which is the American people and our interests.”
Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, made a equally taunting assertion.
“To my friends who are upset, I would say with respect, ‘Call somebody who cares,’” Kennedy mentioned. “You better get used to this. It’s USAID today, it’s going to be the Department of Education tomorrow.”
Home Republicans additionally blocked an effort by Democrats to subpoena Musk and drive him to testify about DOGE’s actions.
“I help what Elon Musk is doing. He is being very clear with the American individuals. He is tweeting out a number of tweets per hour saying what his targets are,” Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, chair of the Home Oversight Committee, mentioned in an interview with Fox information.
“Pay attention, I believe what President Trump is doing by appointing Elon Musk is completely good. And I say that from this angle: Now we have a spending drawback. … . It will take some unconventional thought course of, some unconventional knowledge, to get us out of the mess that we’re in proper now,” Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, (R-MI) mentioned on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
That ought to make us all really feel higher.
On expelling Palestinians from Gaza
Trump shocked world leaders when he mentioned the US will forcibly take away Palestinians from Gaza to ultimately “own” the land and switch it into the “riviera of the Middle East”—a proposal not even his personal advisers knew he was going to make throughout a joint information convention with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The proposal would possible bathroom the US down in one other expensive international warfare—each financially and with the lives of U.S. troops—and defied Trump’s marketing campaign promise to deliver peace to the world.
However once more, Republicans defended Trump, saying his proposal was simply progressive considering from their Pricey Chief.
“To what extent the president wants to move on this, we will see. But we have to be willing to think outside the box to bring peace and stability to Israel and the Palestinian people,” Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah instructed the Deseret Information.
In the meantime, Speaker Johnson known as Trump’s proposal “a bold, decisive move, and I think you have to do something to eradicate the threat to Israel.”
Senate Majority Chief John Thune had a more durable time defending it however didn’t criticize Trump, shrugging when requested if this was a good suggestion.
Thune mentioned that Trump “desires a extra peaceable and safe Center East and put some concepts on the market.”
On imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China
Essentially the most pushback Trump bought this week was when he sought to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China, which might undoubtedly increase costs for U.S. shoppers.
“Tariffs are a tax. When you tax something, you get less of it, so we’ll probably get fewer imports, but then with retaliation, fewer experts. Smoot-Hawley was not particularly successful and helped spark the Depression, so I share the markets’ concern,” Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said in an interview on Newsmax.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, mentioned that Trump’s tariffs are a “disaster for trade.”
“What we have sent a message this week on is that we’re not just going to enforce our southern border. We’re going to put extra resources at that northern border, as well. So Canada needs to come to the table,” Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem instructed “Meet the Press.”
And Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky mentioned that the tariffs had been ill-advised.
“It will drive the cost of everything up,” he mentioned. “In other words, it will be paid for by American consumers. I mean, why would you want to get in a fight with your allies over this?”
Trump in the end backed down off the Mexico and Canada tariffs, after the leaders of each nations supplied him concessions round border safety that had already been on the desk.
And that’s when the fawning feedback got here in, with Republicans praising Trump as a genius negotiator—though the gives from each presidents had been nothing new.
“Thank you, President Trump! Our country finally has an advocate for American farmers, families, and businesses in the White House!” Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa, wrote on X after Trump introduced a halt within the tariffs.
“The world is watching as the president shows, in no uncertain terms, his ability to bring our neighbors together to stop illegal activity and promote security in North America,” Republican Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska wrote on X.
