Day 279: GOP Sens. Corker and Flake Blast Trump — Now What?

Is there substance behind the rhetoric or just more rhetoric?

Republican Sens. Bob Corker (R-TN) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) eviscerated Donald Trump yesterday.

Corker, who referred to the White House as an “adult day care” a couple weeks ago, doubled down.

“Debases our country.”

“No evolution.”

Flake, who wrote a book outlining Trump’s attack on the GOP and the “spasms of a dying party,” announced he would not run for reelection in 2018. In announcing that yesterday, he also took the opportunity to make repeated, pointed attacks at Trump on the Senate floor.

“Reckless, outrageous and undignified.”

“We have fooled ourselves for long enough.”

In an apparent response, Trump proclaimed this morning that his meeting with Republicans yesterday was “a love fest.”

But, also this morning, Flake claimed that he and Corker are far from alone in having grave concerns about Trump.

So now what?

Obviously the 48 members of the Democratic caucus in the Senate have substantial concerns about Trump and his temperament and stability too. Flake says a lot of his colleagues — referring to Republicans — privately share his position that Trump is a danger to the nation. That would mean that well over half the Senate has concerns about the commander-in-chief and his ability to lead the nation.

With the weight of campaigning and reelection off their shoulders, Corker and Flake clearly feel more open to speak the truth about the current state of Washington D.C. Yet, what does it say if the only action they are willing to take is to give speeches while continuously supporting Trump’s nominees and policies?

Along with moderates like Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and wildcards like Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Corker and Flake could wield a ton of power at pushing back at the administration and reining in Trump. All six have proven to be mostly immune from Trump’s attacks and/or won’t be running for reelection anyway. Their power is very real, if they want it.

Corker and Flake must know that if they go quietly into that good night after admitting that Trump is reckless and dangerous that history will judge them perhaps worse than those who sat and said nothing.

So the question remains: Is this the end of Act I for Corker and Flake or is this the entire book?

279 days in, 1183 to go

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