Republicans find it harder to defend him [View all]

[struggle4progress]

By Sean Sullivan and Ed O'Keefe February 14 at 10:02 AM

Congressional Republicans are finding it increasingly difficult to defend President Trump after a tempestuous start to his term that has stoked frustration, fatigue and fear on Capitol Hill.

Some are at a loss for words when asked about Trump’s un­or­tho­dox national security decisions. Others strain to sidestep current stumbles in hopes that conservative legislative achievements will eventually render them irrelevant. And a growing number warn that uncertainty about West Wing staffing and such controversies as Trump’s unilateral immigration ban have detracted from their top priorities.

“There are distractions,” said Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.). “They need to become more disciplined and more focused on their messages, and they have to get more active on policy development” ...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/as-trump-stumbles-hill-republicans-find-it-harder-to-defend-him/2017/02/14/767beb2a-f29f-11e6-a9b0-ecee7ce475fc_story.html?utm_term=.af3e4254b5b2