Are a few Republican consciences finally beginning to awake?
EVEN A sleeping conscience can be roused. There were some hopeful signs of preliminary, slight stirrings this week after President Trump strolled across Lafayette Square to pose awkwardly with a Bible in front of historic St. John’s Episcopal Church. Federal officers had gassed peaceful protesters and beaten journalists to clear the park before his photo op. On the same day, the president threatened to send regular troops into U.S. cities.
The most resonant response came from former Trump defense secretary Jim Mattis, who denounced the prospect of U.S. troops and military leaders aiding in the violation of protesters’ constitutional rights. He declared that “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us.” Mr. Mattis, a former four-star Marine Corps general, had mostly kept his counsel since leaving the administration. No longer: “We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.”
His statement was not revenge for the disrespect Mr. Trump had shown him, nor the words of a political naif who fails to see the big picture, as some said in trying to play down its significance. It was a statement of conviction from a scrupulously nonpartisan patriot who would know firsthand. After Mr. Mattis spoke out, a range of former top military commanders joined him in rebuking Mr. Trump.
So did Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who said that “General Mattis’s words were true and honest and necessary and overdue.” Ms. Murkowski suggested that “perhaps we’re getting to the point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/are-a-few-republican-consciences-finally-beginning-to-awake/2020/06/05/18a245ee-a75a-11ea-b619-3f9133bbb482_story.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
