In an article called “Trump Has ‘Hijacked’ GOP, Is ‘Unfit for Office,’ Says Republican Lawmaker” by Natalie Colarossi of Newsweek, yet one more Republican legislator feels emboldened to speak out against his party and the former president. As more elected Republican officials do this, it will create a groundswell at some point. But, now it is still a just trickle.
Here are a few excerpts from the article which can be linked to below:
“Republican Wyoming Rep. Landon Brown said Saturday that former President Donald Trump has “hijacked” the GOP and that he is “unfit” to serve in office for a second term.
Speaking on CNN, Brown added that the Republican Party is currently being run by a “fringe” group of far-right conservatives. He also issued his support for fellow Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was recently censured for serving on a House committee tasked with investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
‘I think what’s happened here at this point is we’ve seen a fringe group that is on the far right of our party, has taken over our party, and they are the ones that are pushing this narrative. They’ve been working behind the scenes to come out and come against Liz Cheney since day one with her support of this January 6th panel,’ Brown said.
‘The Republican Party had the opportunity to stand behind her and they left that, and unfortunately that shows too many people across this country that Trump has hijacked the Republican Party,’ he added.”
When I shared a related post to an email group, I was accused of being a RINO – I am not, I am an independent and former Republican (and Democrat). These are torn Republicans who are now feeling more empowered to speak out against the lack veritas in the GOP. They have likely known this for some time and tolerated the former president and his bent for untruthful, bullying and seditious behavior, but now it is too much to bear.
I have long felt the only group that can cure the current problems in the Republican party must come from Republicans. These folks need to be applauded, even if they are late to the game. The real RINOs are the Republicans who are vilifying the truth tellers and promoting the liars and bullies.
musingsofanoldfart 
I would be more persuaded by such folk if they would vote with the Democrats to protect voting rights instead of on party lines, myself. All mouth, no trousers?
Agreed. Conservative pundit George Will wrote before the 2018 mid terms for Republicans to vote Democrat to send a message. From where I sit, the message should be reiterated for the 2022 mid terms.
Good point, peNdantry!
Note to Readers: I sent the following email to Rep. Brown.
“Rep. Brown, as an independent and former Republican (and Democrat) voter, I applaud your political courage to speak out against the unfitness of the former president. I agree that the GOP is adrift right now, untethered to the truth and lawfulness. We need a viable Conservative party and one that vilifies the truth tellers while promoting the liars and bullies lacks the Veritas it once had.
You will, of course, feel the wrath of the followers of the former president, but stick to your message as you are on the side of the angels.”
FYI – I received a nice note back from Rep. Brown.
“Thank you Keith –
It’s not fun being in the line of fire, but it’s how I was raised. Stand firm in your beliefs.
-Landon”
Good job, Keith! Yes, we must show support for those who are trying to do the right thing, who actually take seriously those Oaths of Office.
Thanks Jill. I was pleased to see him respond.
Hopefully the more who step forward, the more quiet ones will gain enough courage to also express what they really think. We can only hope.
Linda, so very true. Political courage should not need so much coaxing. Keith
Note to Readers: Republicans need to realize when their leaders knowingly lie, it is not only bad for the country, it is bad for their party. Full stop. People who do this are doing a disservice to their followers.
Let’s hope that more and more will follow…
Erika, agreed. Keith
It’s just so troubling that it’s taken so long, Keith. The damage that’s been done to our country will take years to fix—assuming the Republicans don’t regain legislative control in 2022. If they do, I fear it won’t be whatever passes as a moderate these days making decisions.
And yet there’s a dangerous “enthusiasm gap” with radical Republicans more eager to support their Insurrection-denying party than Democrats supporting a normal administration that’s accomplished a great deal under the most difficult circumstances. I don’t get it.
Annie, I agree. On your last point, a key reason a populist appeals to the masses is he or she is telling folks it is not their fault. There is some evil force that is causing their problems. So, to defeat that lie, which is even bigger than the Big Lie of election fraud, you have to convince folks that they are, in fact, more responsible for their plight. That is a hard sell. Keith
I, too, applaud those within the Republican ranks for standing up to the bully and I completely agree with Landon Brown’s statement. I’d like to see fully 75% of the Republicans walk away from the former guy and find their consciences somewhere deep within. And, Trump is becoming less relevant, not getting the crowds he once drew at his rallies. However, that said, he still has enough support within the GOP to create chaos in the 2022 and especially the 2024 elections and I think it will take more than the few who are courageously speaking out now to change that.
Jill, I agree with your points. Yet, as each day passes, more bad news appropriately befalls the former president. I have a sense, once the tipping point is reached, the departures will hasten. His political career has long been over after his seditious actions leading up to and on January 6, but it has taken time for Republicans to realize it. Keith
I do hope you’re right, and also that when the day comes he finally departs and the GOP finds their way free of him, his staunch supporters don’t go berserk and do something awful. Too many times I’ve heard talk of guns and violence.
Jill, I am sure some of his more zealous base may do something stupid, but it is up to Republican leadership and people’s better angels to squelch it. Keith
Agreed. IS there any Republican leadership these days? Seems that the McConnell/McCarthy duo is more of a hindrance than an asset to the party.
Jill, I would not count on McCarthy for any positive behavior. McConnell will hedge any bets and do something positive if it is politically beneficial. Keith
I am really, really hoping for that groundswell!
Me too, Peg.
Note to Readers: The former president said yesterday all judges in New York just hate him and once again referred to this as part of the biggest witch hunt ever. What continues to amaze me is his followers do not realize how childish his retorts are. My suggestion to get full effect of is to use your best toddler’s voice and repeat what he often says:
– they just don’t like me
– they stole it from me
– I won by a landslide
– they are out to get me
– it is a witch-hunt
On the legal front, these are separate kinds of accusations. These are financial malfeasance claims. His difficulties with the House committee is seditious accusations. Both sets have merit. And, he brought this all on himself primarily due to a fragile ego that will condone cheating to win.