Former GOP Secretary Of Defense Trashes Republicans For Letting Trump Undo Democracy

A former Republican secretary of defense tore into Republican senators on Wednesday, particularly outgoing Sen. Orrin Hatch, for saying Donald Trump’s crimes don’t matter.

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William Cohen, a Republican who served in Bill Clinton’s administration, says the type of blind loyalty GOP lawmakers are displaying is threatening our democracy.

“When you say it doesn’t matter as long as he’s doing a good job … then I think you’re witnessing the undoing of this country.”

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Responding to Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s remark that he doesn’t care about Trump’s crimes, Cohen said:

I think every member of the Senate, every member of the House, should care. We’re built upon the premise of the rule of law. It’s the rule of law that holds back the jungle. And when you say it doesn’t matter as long as he’s doing a good job, namely the economy seems to be doing better than it was last year but slowing down somewhat. Nonetheless, doesn’t matter whether there’s been any violation of the law, then I think you’re witnessing the undoing of this country.

Republicans and Democrats are sounding the alarm

William Cohen’s harsh criticism of those standing by Trump during this constitutional crisis comes after he joined dozens of other former U.S. Senators in penning an open letter to current lawmakers.

A portion of the letter via The Washington Post:

During our service in the Senate, at times we were allies and at other times opponents, but never enemies. We all took an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution. Whatever united or divided us, we did not veer from our unwavering and shared commitment to placing our country, democracy and national interest above all else.

At other critical moments in our history, when constitutional crises have threatened our foundations, it has been the Senate that has stood in defense of our democracy. Today is once again such a time.

To be sure, it’s a good sign that Republicans and Democrats are joining together to urge Congress to step up and protect American democracy from Donald Trump – but it’s going to take more than that.

As long as current Republican members of Congress continue their spineless bowing to this dangerous president, nothing will change.

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Sean Colarossi

Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.