Really - Why Are The Repugs In Congress So Afraid Of Tr**p?...

[global1]

I've heard so many theories.

- he'll primary them and they'll be out of a job
- they are worried that he'd sic violence on them or their families
- he has kompromat on them
- Putin has kompromat on the whole Party
- they're afraid of the MAGA followers and the threats they make
- I just heard Nikki Haley criticize him - but in the end says she'll vote for him
- they want to keep Tr**p's MAGA supporters

Has any Repug or former Repug in Congress ever said they're being blackmailed? Or ever explained why they're afraid of him?

Are they really worried to lose their cushy jobs? I'm thinking they can step away from Congress at any time and still be gainfully employed and in the chips $'s.

Does Tr**p have goons out there that would really inflict violence on them or harm them?

Would Tr**p's MAGA supporters abandon the Repug Party - if Tr**p was drummed out of it?

What makes Tr**p so powerful in the Party? One thought I've had is that he'd take the whole Party down - making crap up and lying - just to get even with the Party if they took him down.

Are the Repugs in Congress so big of cowards that they're waiting till Nov for the American People to take Tr**p down?

I just don't get it. They've had so many chances to rid him from the Party and they always wind up circling the wagons around this guy.

Do they really want to end our Democracy? Do they really want a dictator?

Is the fix in for November and they know that they have got the election wrapped up and he'll win?

I know that they are desperate. I think they'll do anything to win in November.

Should we really take all the threats as credible?

Given all the criminality surrounding Tr**p and his cronies - you'd think he'd be gone by now. What is wrong with the American People that support this guy and his Party? Don't they realize that if they vote him in - they'd have to live under the same rules that he'll apply to his non-loyalists?

I just don't get it? In your responses - please try to answer this in detail. I've asked a lot of questions in this post and I'd really like to have some legitimate responses so I can (so we can) make sense of what is really happening.

[senseandsensibility]

1. To me the simplest explanation

is that they are like him in every way. They secretly (or not secretly) admire his repulsive qualities like lying, cheating, stealing, being a bully, etc. and to the extent that he has any policies (tax cuts for their benefactors, the elite and stacking the Supreme Court) they're all in with that too.

[Hugin]

16. It's the only possible explanation. n/t

[redqueen]

2. I don't think it's tsf they're afraid of

I think it's the people who own tsf, who also own them

[global1]

4. But What Are They Afraid OF?.....

What would these so-called people do to them?

Look at my OP and the theories that are out there. Are any of those theories legitimate?

[redqueen]

6. Kompromat would be my guess

Stuff that would not only end their political careers but also ruin their families and their reputations as decent human beings.

[Marthe48]

7. Too late on the decent human thing

[redqueen]

20. I suspect it's bad enough that their own families and followers would disown them

Epstein had cameras all over his properties

[Beachnutt]

3. Birds of a feather

Flock together.

[Mr.Bee]

5. My Mother

was employed by the school system during the eighties and said 'if we don't properly educate these children (especially history),
IT WILL NOT END WELL.'
History repeats itself, especially when children grow up thinking a dictator is the best leader!

[gab13by13]

8. No one gave the correct answer yet,

Occam's Razor - They fear for their lives and the lives of their families.

Mitt Romney wrote a book about it. Romney said the Senate failed to convict Trump out of fear. After Romney voted to convict Trump he spent millions of dollars on private security.

A big chunk of the money that Jack Smith has spent so far prosecuting trump has been spent on personal security, millions of dollars.

I understand because 50 years ago when I was on borough council I spoke truth to power. I helped to protect our towns water supply and I got death threats so I have a very small inkling of what it's like to speak truth to power. I had the townspeople behind me and I had the local newspaper behind me.

The answer to your question is self explanatory, Occam's Razor, they are afraid of Trump because they are cowards.

[Mr.Bee]

9. The answer is

they are not afraid of him, since he never conceded, he is still their president, their leader.
Congresspersons that grew up groomed by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News,
that's why there should be a law against dangerous 'free speech'...

[Mossfern]

17. Sounds familiar!

Except I was "asked" to withdraw from an election. I was threatened and was told that my family were vulnerable too. I got up from the table and told them "give it your best shot."

I served two terms (two years as Mayor) and then retired my political career. I felt my time was better used to volunteer for causes I support.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. I don't think it's a simple answer. I think is all of the above, but not in individual cases.

Kompromat for some. Fear for some. Desire to keep, as you say, their cushy jobs and perks, for others.

I actually think their biggest collective fear are the hateful, mouth breathing, knuckle dragging, gun humping, GQP base. They are, at its simplest, empowered to oust them in a primary. But the militia types and lone wolf plotters also instill fear if they do something really egregious - like cooperate with Democrats.

[MadameButterfly]

23. and if Trump wins the presidency he'll go after everyone who opposed him

Think about it. From Rachel Maddow and Joe Biden to every Republican pundit who turned on him, everyone who voted to impeach him, every Congressperson who vote against his will on anything...hell, he could just start discriminating against Democrats or make us all swear an oath...we have no idea how far he'd take it and where it would end.

Every courageous Congressperson who has spoken up has lost re-election. It's not that there aren't any brave or principled Republicans, it's just that they aren't around any more. So it's hard to get those numbers to grow. If all of them could get together and turn en mass, they could free themselves (and us). But look at the caliber of people left to do this.

[bdamomma]

37. Blue

states is what gets me anxious. He may have his militias' ambush Blue states, or am I being too paranoid/or over the top.

[livetohike]

11. My thoughts are that he has threatened them and their

families with physical violence if any one of them is disloyal. What else could it be? I agree that if they leave Congress they could make a living elsewhere. Most of them are very wealthy so it can’t be that Trump will somehow ruin them financially.

Look at the unhinged MAGA crowd on Jan 6. They would do anything for Trump. All he has to do is say the word. He’s already made public via Truth Social and X the addresses of public figures. Why?

I think we haven’t heard half of the threats that were made on Trump’s behalf against public figures in and out of Congress.

What can be done with him?

[MadameButterfly]

24. If elected president Trump can ruin anyone he wants financially

[mopinko]

12. blackmail and bribery is how he got everything he didnt inherit or steal.

him and david pecker had half the power players in manhattan in their pockets doing just that.
and btw, what ever happened to the contents of pecker’s safe?

eta, and now he has his brownshirts.

[2naSalit]

31. I think that "safe"...

Is carefully deposited in a deep place near the #1 hole at Bedminster.

[budkin]

13. It's because they want his supporters and most of the party loves him

That's pretty much it.

[TSExile]

14. Here's another reason.

He has the goods on all of them. He knows about their own skeletons - mistresses, out-of-wedlock children, drug addictions, etc. They have to toe the line or else he exposes them for not being "loyal" enough.

I agree with another poster that said it could be anything individually - some are afraid of being primaried, some are afraid of his deranged fan club, and others want to be just like him. It could be anything.

[Plectranthus]

15. To answer your question:

You never get out of debt to a Russian mobster..

Paul Manafort is who I think of immediately, but at least half of the ReThugs in clowngress are kompromat
All of the GQP traitors in congress who owe Putin something are scrambling to save themselves while their party implodes.

[MadameButterfly]

25. yeah, important to remember that Putin hold the strings

ultimately. And he's been coaching Trump.

Russian oligarchs can be loyal for years then fall out of windows.

[bdamomma]

36. Putin is behind

this all, he has found his "useful idiot" and has been grooming the orange pus job for many years. tRump has given Putin his undying loyalty. He took Putin's side than our own Intelligence Agencies. Trump is rehashing the NATO stance because he is giving Putin the okay to invade NATO and allies of the US. The orange pus job has no clue what NATO does or their functions. Putin like tRump hates the US and our democracy.

Our congress and some of it's members have deep tendencies to end our democratic protocols, do not believe what our founding fathers drafted and passed as laws, and are deniers of the Constitution.

We saved ourselves in 2020, we must do it again. Does anyone remember how we felt after we learned Biden won the election, we were actually celebrating in the streets, and we felt very relieved.

I do not WANT to live in chaos or death again like we were under tRump, and telling Americans to drink bleach or to tell parents who lose their children "to get over it", or throws out paper towels to Hurricane victims. You probably can list more.

[BarbD]

18. It's complicated and simple at the same time.

Complicated because we are all driven by multiple reasons. Simple because most people are totally ignorant on how democracy actually works. Teachers are so busy trying to comply with the many rules such as having lock-down drills, there is not enough time to fit in a basic civics course on how government works. How can there be government by people who don't have a clue as to what qualities are needed to succeed in running it? People just want everyone to "feel good" and be like everyone else and not rock the boat.

There is no simple solution. We just have to basically agree that we are all in this world together.

[Qutzupalotl]

19. It's about getting re-elected.

I know this because the only ones willing to buck Trump on anything are the ones who are retiring.

So it's both a nasty primary, and a nasty general election, with all the personal attacks.

That doesn't seem like enough to get them to do a 180 on Russia, so there may be more to it. Trump is a stochastic terrorist. They know he only has to vaguely allude to a threat to have one of his minions carry it out. So they are also worried about their safety, and their families'.

I too have floated the kompromat theory, since we know Russia hacked the RNC emails and sat on whatever they found. There could be more damning things that could come out, and if so, would provide Putin leverage over them. But I haven't seen any direct proof of this, just bizarre reversals like Graham after golfing with Trump.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

21. Russia hacked the RNC

at the same time they hacked the DNC.

We all see what they say and do out in the open; what they keep hidden must be pretty damn bad.

[Oneironaut]

22. Because 40% of the country badly wants Fascism.

Criticizing Trump is a political death sentence. All must fall behind the all-knowing Fuhrer who can do wrong. Criticizing him is like criticizing Jay-sus.

[elleng]

26. cowards, succumb to the bully.

[bottomofthehill]

27. They are afraid of their voters

Trump can activate the rabble and scare the hell out of them.

[Emile]

28. Because they are followers, not leaders.

[Marthe48]

29. I could see fear as a reason

Pretty sure traitor has access to thugs willing to commit the kind of war crimes I read about happening in Ukraine, so I'd worry about my loved ones. I don't think the traitorous henchmen in elected or appointed positions have that fear. I think they get off on fomenting that fear and being part of the cruelty sweeping over our country. Dreaming about fabulous wealth without working, free sex with no obligation or worries about a mutually satisfying performance, no responsibilities for anyone but their own selves, I think whoever hitches their wagon to traitor's coattails have a fantasy of all having it all without doing any work whatsoever.

[griffi94]

30. I recently had a conversation with a MAGA relative.

They asked me, in a serious way, why I didn’t like Trump. I gave several real answers. The corruption, lies, bullying, and grifting.
My relative asked for examples so I supplied a short list.
They said they had never heard any of that and where did I get my information. I said that I subscribe to several newspapers.

They said that they get their news from Fox News, News Max, and Facebook.

They don’t see any real news or facts. They believe Trump is being persecuted.
The MAGAs I know stopped getting factual information years ago.
When all they hear or see is RW propaganda, they eventually believe it.

[global1]

32. Did You Try To Convince Them To Look For Their News Elsewhere?......

Were they receptive to opening their eyes and perhaps watch other news shows than Fox and Newsmax. Maybe check into DU instead of Facebook.

Did you think you got through to them in any way? Or are they so close-minded that they won't go anywhere else to seek out the facts?

[griffi94]

39. I told them where I get my news.

However, at the end of the conversation, they said they have always been conservative and a republican.
They supported Trump and would vote a straight GOP ticket.
Keep in mind, this is a relative and while we have an agreement to not talk about politics, they almost always bring up politics.
They always ask me what they think is a "gotcha" question. It's always some made-up crap they heard on Fox or News Max.
It's always easy to debunk. But the truth is, they only believe things that they want to be true.

[ITAL]

33. The #1 goal for the vast majority of politicians

Is to stay in office. If their base loves and follows Trump, they must too so they can get re-elected.

[qwlauren35]

34. Staying in Office

I know you don't think it's worth it, but for some of the Representatives, being in the House is a BIG DEAL. It is a validation that they matter in the eyes of their constituents. They won a popularity contest, and its possible that it never happened before. They get to run with the big dogs. They have POWER. It's thrilling, it's exciting, it's "to die for".

And every two years, they run the risk that someone is going to take that away from them. So, they do things to catch the attention of their constituents. To make it look like they are doing something that aligns with what their voters want. And... their voters want Trump.

If they do not say "how high?" when Trump says "jump", he will skewer them politically. He will embarrass them, make fun of them, stamp them into dust. But if they praise him, then he might come to their town with a rally and let them share the stage. Or toss them some other bone. An endorsement of some sort, calling them by name, saying positive things about them. And possibly helping them win.

At least that's how things are going to play out in the primaries.

HOWEVER,, it is possible... that the tune will change in September when they have to win Democrats and Independents to stay in the House.

[ProfessorGAC]

35. A Lot Of It Is The Gig

Not the money, but the prestige of the job itself.
Power, influence, profile...
Yes, they would fall on their feet financially but even more money with a lower profile & prestige is a step down for many of them.

[FormerOstrich]

38. I have given this a lot of thought

thank you for presenting it so succinctly. I have concluded I will never understand. No matter the underlying factor(s) I cannot comprehend. There are a lot of theories. Maybe all of them are true. Or, true in part. Or, none of them are true. Still...I cannot begin to be able to understand it.

Without all of the cult followers he would have no power. They give him the power...he has none without them. That part I do understand.

The worse yet, is none of those that follow, protect, and worship him can explain the hold.

None of it makes any sense.

[Martin Eden]

40. Fascism, Fear, and Opportunism

A growing number of R's in Congress are full-on MAGA fascists. They see Trump for what he is, and love what they see.

Those who loathe Trump fear being primaried, and also fear for their safety if they dare oppose him.

Others are opportunists, totally unprincipled. They care only about their personal ambition, and see jumping on the Trump train as a ride to fame and fortune.

[Takket]

41. They re note afraid. They love, adore and worship him like a true MAGAt

They sent him as a gateway to money, power and adoration from his racist scum sucking followers.

[GoCubsGo]

42. All of the above, but with extra kompromat.

Putin isn't the only one with dirt on them. I have little doubt that those boxes and boxes of stolen documents Trump stole contain more than just state secrets. He has always collected information that he can hold over people to get what he wants.