This week, producers at various media outlets are finding themselves in a unique position: they are unable to find any Republican officials or spokespeople to appear on their network to defend the decisions of the president.
As each tragic piece of the Trump puzzle falls into place, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get any Republican to speak on the record about the day’s events, or to get their personal opinion on the president’s conduct.
Even Fox News was forced to reveal on Tuesday evening that despite reaching out to dozens of lawmakers, not a single one was willing to appear publicly to comment on the day’s news stories.
Fox’s Brett Baier made the surprising announcement, noting that though the network had tried, not a single Republican agreed to appear.
“We have tried tonight to get Republicans to come out and talk to us, and there are not Republicans willing to go on camera tonight as of yet and we will see if that changes.”
Elsewhere in recent weeks and months, lawmakers have been spotted literally running from the media, sneaking out of windows and back doors to avoid being spotted. If the person is Press Secretary Sean Spicer, they’re even willing to hide “among” the bushes in order to avoid the harsh glare of a photographer’s camera.
Even when reporters manage to get close enough to ask a question, officials have taken to pretending they have no knowledge the day’s news stories. The most these officials can muster is blase commentary on the news itself, calling the allegations “troubling,” and “disturbing.”
But when they’re asked to express an opinion on their Commander in Chief? They have nothing new to say.
The good news is that even the most ardent Republican is no longer defending Trump, on air or in comments made to the media. This means that the president’s actions can no longer be considered acceptable by anyone who has any power to enforce such an opinion.
The truth is that this stonewalling and steadfast refusal to face the truth in the light of day is the only thing holding the Republican party together. These officials and lawmakers are simply hoping that with enough time and “no comment”s, the scandal will die down and they can return to pretending that the president is anything but a crook.
Unfortunately, the spotlight of an inquisitive, persistent press has been turned on the Republican party and it is unlikely that they will find the comforting darkness they so enjoyed anytime soon.
