It’s no surprise that House Republicans leaped to Donald Trump’s defense after news of his indictment broke late Thursday. What was striking, though, was how many elected GOP officials now sound like Trump.
“Political Persecution,” Trump alleged in his statement.
“Political persecution,” parroted Reps. Diana Harshbarger (Tenn.), John Brecheen (Okla.), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.), and Paul Gosar (Ariz.).
“Blatant Election Interference,” Trump announced.
“This is unprecedented election interference,” echoed GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik (N.Y.).
“An attempt to interfere in our Presidential election,” echoed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.). Image without a caption Follow Dana Milbank's opinionsFollow
“Witch hunt,” complained Trump.
“Witch hunt,” repeated Reps. George Santos (N.Y.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and more, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.).
“Weaponizing our justice system,” Trump inveighed.
“Weaponizing,” chorused Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Reps. David Rouzer (N.C.), Austin Scott (Ga.), Rich McCormick (Ga.) and more.
Trump blamed George Soros. Reps. Wesley Hunt (Tex.), Mike Johnson (La.), Harshbarger, Gosar and Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) blamed Soros.
They aped Trump in other ways, too.
In their vulgarity:
“Enough of this witch hunt bulls---,” tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.)
“This is complete and utter bulls---,” asserted Rep. Brian Mast (Fla.).
Others tweeted in ALL CAPS.
“WITCH HUNT!” screamed Rep. Ronny Jackson (Tex.) and “Alvin Bragg is a NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT.” Press Enter to skip to end of carousel Opinions on the Trump indictment The Trump indictment is a poor test case for prosecuting a former president The Trump indictment is a poor test case for prosecuting a former president Opinion It should be outrageous that Trump’s indictment is not a federal case It should be outrageous that Trump’s indictment is not a federal case Opinion By indicting Trump, Alvin Bragg restores our faith in the rule of law By indicting Trump, Alvin Bragg restores our faith in the rule of law Opinion Trump is indicted, and justice is served Trump is indicted, and justice is served Opinion The GOP response to Trump is one hell of an indictment The GOP response to Trump is one hell of an indictment Opinion Getting indicted isn’t enough to stop a reelection Getting indicted isn’t enough to stop a reelection Opinion End of carousel
In demanding vengeance:
“Hunter Biden: Call your lawyers,” suggested Rep. Darrell Issa (Calif.).
“The House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account,” declared McCarthy.
“When Trump wins, THESE PEOPLE WILL PAY!!” tweeted Jackson.
In voicing deep-state conspiracy theories:
“The Regime occupying our country and systematically killing America is most afraid of President Donald J. Trump,” warned Gosar.
And in stoking paranoia among the unstable:
“If they can come for him, they can come for anyone,” tweeted Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.).
Of course, we hardly need reminders that Trump still dominates the GOP. Earlier this week, the House Administration Committee held a hearing where lawmakers and witnesses not only echoed Trump’s “big lie” from 2020 but alleged, without evidence, that there was “government voter suppression” followed by a “coverup” in a 2022 House race in Pennsylvania that Democrats won.
Still, the Republicans’ mimicry (conscious or unconscious) of Trump should put one thing into sharper focus. The debate about whether this helps or hurts Trump’s fight for the GOP nomination is beside the point. When it comes to any would-be Republican standard-bearer, the mantra is clear: We are all Trumpians now.