How GOP leaders may have become 'fascist' Trump’s 'criminal co-conspirators'
As former President Donald Trump faces four criminal prosecutions, much of the Republican Party leadership has been rushing to his defense — including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California). Most of Trump's rivals in the 2024 GOP presidential primary have offered only tepid criticism of him, although former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) have been more vehement in their attacks.
Progressive journalist Chauncey DeVega offers a scathing analysis of the state of the 2023 GOP in an article published by Salon on September 1. The Trumpified GOP, he warns, isn't shy about using the violent methods of organized crime.
"Today's Republican Party is a de facto criminal organization," DeVega warns. "The crime boss is Donald Trump. Like in other criminal organizations, Trump rules through an inner circle of his closest advisors and lieutenants. Trump the boss also uses threats of violence and intimidation to keep control and to punish his enemies. Unlike other criminal organizations, the Republican Party administers its loyalty oath in public."
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DeVega makes his point by noting that during the first 2024 GOP primary debate, six of the eight candidates on a stage in Milwaukee agreed to support Trump if he becomes the nominee.
"Donald Trump's crimes against democracy and the American people were committed in public," DeVega observes. "Moreover, Trump is unapologetic in his criminality and proud of his evil behavior — and promises to get revenge on he and his fascist MAGA movement's 'enemies' when/if he takes back the White House in 2025. Like other professional criminals, Donald Trump has also shown himself to be a sociopath if not a full-on psychopath."
DeVega continues, "When the Republican candidates pledged loyalty to Trump last week during the debate — and on other occasions as well —they were also endorsing and supporting his crimes and promising to continue with them. As a practical matter, they are now his criminal co-conspirators."
Chauncey DeVega's full Salon article is available at this link.
