I am astonished that anyone can continue to support Donald Trump after all he has done. When he was voted out of office, he incited an insurrection on January 6, 2021, to stop Congress from proclaiming Biden’s victory. As many as ten people died as a result. This followed the unquestionably worst presidency in U.S. history.
But the Republicans have stood by Trump despite his crimes. Note the following: 121 House Republicans and 7 Republican Senators helped Trump try to overthrow our democracy by voting against certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the face of overwhelming evidence that Biden won fair and square. And 43 Republicans voted to acquit Trump of all charges in the Senate impeachment trial. Republicans continue to support those who joined the insurrection. Five January 6th rioters have already been elected to office. At least 57 more people who were involved in the January 6th riots are running for office.
And now Republicans are supporting Trump for reelection in 2024—57 percent of Republicans want Trump to win, according to press reports. These same people called for defunding the FBI after the bureau’s search of Trump’s estate at Mar-a-Lago.
I am at a total loss to understand how anyone could support the worst president in our history who will almost certainly face criminal prosecution shortly. I can only conclude that his supporters agree with his racist views and his desire to keep the middle and lower classes powerless while enhancing the rule of the wealthy upper class. To me, that is anti-American.
So what is the future of the Republican party? My forecast is that in the long term it will cease to exist and that the Democratic party will split into two parties representing the progressives and the moderates. Or maybe the Republicans will prevail, and American democracy in all its imperfect glory will come to an end. Time will tell.
Tom Glenn, Writer 