Republicans rebuke Trump’s gross attack on Rob Reiner—except one jackass

Congressional Cowards is a weekly collection highlighting the worst Donald Trump defenders on Capitol Hill, who refuse to criticize him—regardless of how disgraceful or lawless his actions.

In one more signal that Donald Trump is the lamest of lame duck presidents, this week GOP lawmakers not solely refused to defend his despicable feedback concerning the homicide of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, however they really known as Trump out.

From weak Home Republicans—seemingly in search of an appropriate place to distance themselves from Trump as they search to outlive in what’s anticipated to be a blue wave in 2026—to Republicans in protected seats, virtually all mentioned that Trump blaming Reiner and his spouse Michelle’s brutal homicide on Reiner’s anti-Trump activism was unacceptable.

Much more surprising is that quite a few the Republicans who commented did it with out being prompted, deciding on their very own that they needed to name out Trump’s deranged Reality Social publish.

“A father and mom had been murdered by the hands of their troubled son. We must be lifting the household up in prayer, not making this about politics,” Rep. Stephanie Bice, who represents an Oklahoma district Trump carried by almost 18 factors, wrote in a publish on X in response to Trump’s remark. “Everlasting relaxation grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual gentle shine upon them.”

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“This assertion is mistaken,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) wrote in a publish on X in response to a tweet from Trump’s personal White Home, which amplified Trump’s remarks. “No matter one’s political opinions, nobody must be subjected to violence, not to mention by the hands of their very own son. It’s a horrible tragedy that ought to engender sympathy and compassion from everybody in our nation, interval.”

Now-frequent Trump critic Rep. Thomas Massie additionally mentioned Trump’s remark went too far.

“No matter the way you felt about Rob Reiner, that is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse a few man who was simply brutally murdered,” the Kentucky Republican wrote in a publish on X. “I assume my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White Home employees will simply ignore it as a result of they’re afraid? I problem anybody to defend it.”

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) additionally mentioned Trump’s publish was mistaken.

“A clever man generally says nothing, as a result of he is a clever man. I believe the president ought to have mentioned nothing,” Kennedy instructed reporters. “I believe when he makes feedback like that, it distracts from his coverage achievements and his agenda, and simply talking personally, in America, you’ll be able to say what you need, however simply talking personally, when  one other human being is murdered or was the case with Mr. Kirk, assassinated, I believe all of us ought to present them, no matter their political opinions, and their households respect.”

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who appears to haven’t any extra fucks to present now that he is retiring from the Home, additionally slammed Trump.

“I’d count on to listen to one thing like this from a drunk man at a bar, not the President of the USA. Can the President be presidential?” Bacon instructed CNN’s Jake Tapper, the reply to that rhetorical query after all being no.

Sen. Ted Cruz additionally refused to defend Trump’s feedback. The Texas Republican instructed reporters, “Psychological well being is a matter that does not know partisan traces. I believe each household in America has handled psychological well being and handled dependancy, and I grieve that on this occasion, it seems to have price Rob Reiner and his spouse their life.”

Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who as soon as harassed survivors of the Parkland faculty capturing, mentioned Trump’s feedback had been past the pale.

“I assumed that assertion was completely fully beneath the workplace of the president of the USA, classless, and it was simply mistaken,” Greene instructed CNN.

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In fact, there was nonetheless one Republican who was keen to debase himself within the identify of Pricey Chief: Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who seems incessantly in Congressional Cowards.

“He was respectful to him, mentioned he was as soon as a very good actor and all that, and identified the truth that he did not like him in any respect … I don’t suppose it was distasteful in any respect,” Mullin mentioned, with out a trace of disgrace. “The man doesn’t like Trump and President Trump went out and nonetheless ended it in a really good manner.”

However apart from Mullin’s morally bankrupt protection of Trump, Republicans could not carry themselves to defend Pricey Chief this time—a telling signal that as Trump’s reputation continues to sink, threatening the GOP’s congressional majorities, Republicans could now be in search of methods to distance themselves from their orange messiah. 

Nonetheless, we cannot maintain our breath for the GOP to defy Trump in legislative battles when it truly issues. 

Republicans are nonetheless cowards, in any case.