'Crush him': Massive MAGA takedown of dissenting Republican predicted

Dana Bash of CNN’s Inside Politics says MAGA knives are out for Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) after the Republican ducked the party line and opposed the nomination of Ed Martin, President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

“I'm sorry, Sen Tillis. You want to give illegal aliens more nuance and understanding and compassion on how you handle their cases than you'll give American patriots who dared to stand up to a contested election? And that's the reason that you can't vote for Ed Martin,” said Natalie Winters on Steve Bannon’s ‘War Room’ podcast. “Where were you on January 6, when your constituents were getting thrown in prison? Thom Tillis, you are very much on the wrong side of history.”

However, Tillis told reporters that it is precisely because of Martin's behavior in the January 6 aftermath that he will not be supporting him.

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“Were he being put forth as a U.S. attorney for any district except the district where January 6th happened, where the protest happened, I'd probably support him, but not in this district,” Tillis said. “At this point, I've indicated to the White House I wouldn't support his nomination.”

Bloomberg reporter Nia-Malika Henderson said Tillis is showing considerable courage in his defiance of both Trump and MAGA because “MAGA has proven to be violent … and scary.”

“It also gets at the kind of fear, I think, that a lot of senators and folks in the House have in standing up to MAGA, because you will get a lot thrown at you,” Henderson said.

Bash pointed out Martin is a Jan. 6 “truther” who dismissed the capitol riot cases of Trump voters trying to overthrow democracy that day. He also failed to report nearly 200 appearances on far-right media outlets during his confirmation process, and he claims not to recall controversial statements under oath. He also later repudiated an alleged Nazi sympathizer in contradiction to his own statements of support.

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NPR reporter Tamara Keith pointed out another big issue with Martin is the absence of space between Martin and the White House in an office that is supposed to maintain independence.

“He is very aligned with President Trump, has gone on twitter to take cues from the president suggesting prosecutions,” Keith said. “I realize (this) is a little novel or behind the times at this point, but the separation between the justice department and the White House when it comes to prosecutorial decisions and investigations—that is utterly blurred and especially blurred when it comes to him and his public statements about seeing himself as the president's lawyer.”

Unlike other Republicans who have adopted a stance against Trump, Tillis is up for re-election, and his independence could cost him the GOP primary.

CNN commentator Mark Preston said MAGA will definitely be aiming for his head.

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“It's going to be hard to see the MAGA world doesn't come in with an incredible amount of money and try to crush him as they go through the primary, as they have said they're going to do,” Preston said. “But what is worth noting are two things: one, i don't think it matters who is going to be the U.S. attorney. Trump is going to put … whoever he wants, in there … and there is no line between the justice department and the White House anymore. … you could put me in there, for God's sakes, or you or you or you or you, and we could all [tell him] ‘no’, but if we didn't do what he wanted us to do, he would fire you, and then he would put somebody else in. so regardless who gets into that position, all of the decisions are being made out of the White House.

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