Sarah Longwell: “One of the peculiar pathologies of Republican-primary politics is that even Trump’s competition feels unable to criticize him. Case in point: After Trump was indicted, DeSantis called the move ‘un-American,’ Pence called it ‘an outrage,’ and Haley said it was ‘more about revenge than it is about justice.’”
“They are in a trap of their own making. For eight years, Republican leaders have defended Trump at every turn—from the Access Hollywood tape to ‘very fine people on both sides.’ From the first impeachment to January 6 to the second impeachment.”
“They thought that by covering for Trump they were tapping into his power, but they were actually giving away their own—mortgaging themselves and their reputations to Trump’s lies and depravities. By defending him then, they have made it impossible to credibly accuse him of anything now.”
