Beau of The Fifth Column
Let's talk about the GOP trying to distance themselves from the Trump administration’s actions....
04 Oct 2025
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Well, howdy there, Internet people. It's Belle again. So today, we're going to talk about the GOP trying to distance themselves from the Trump administration's actions. We talked about how Speaker of the House Mike Johnson told a congressional colleague that he doesn't control Trump when it comes to his social media posts. We're hearing the same thing from other top congressional Republicans now.
We're seeing the same response to the Trump administration's actions during the shutdown.
Chapter 2: What actions are GOP members taking to distance themselves from Trump?
Senate Majority Leader Thune said, quote, This is the risk of shutting down the government and handing the keys to Russ Vought. He also said, quote, Then, when talking about Vought's actions and how they would hurt Americans, Thune said, quote, The Democrats ought to think long and hard about keeping this thing going for a long time, because it won't be without consequence, I'm sure.
It seems like they don't want to accept responsibility for Trump's actions, but want to try to use the leverage for the harm that is caused to make sure working class Americans don't get the tax credits for health care that Democrats want to provide. There was none of this debate when it was the rich getting tax breaks. But now that it's for working people, there's a lot of debate and hesitation.
We don't control the Trump administration. Here's the thing. Yes. Yeah, they do. Congress makes the laws. That's how this country is set up. The country is not set up for Congress to be a rubber stamp for the White House. It's a check. And in fact, everything is supposed to originate there. But let's just say it's true. Let's just say that once in office, there's nothing Congress can do.
Who confirmed Vought? All 53 Senate Republicans voted in favor of confirming him. If handing Vought the keys is a, quote, risk, maybe the GOP shouldn't have confirmed him. It certainly seems like congressional Republicans understand how bad Trump's planned moves during the shutdown are going to be for America. And they're trying to preemptively distance themselves from it.
Sorry, that's not how Congress works.
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Chapter 3: What are the implications of the government shutdown according to Senate leaders?
Republicans in Congress have the ability to fix the health care issues they caused and pass a budget at any time. They also have the ability to limit Vought's actions. They make the laws. It seems like congressional Republicans are banking on Republican and independent voters not understanding basic civics or how the Constitution lays out the U.S. government.
It also seems clear that the Trump administration's reductions in force, layoffs, withholding of funds, and so on are about to hit a tempo even their allies in Congress are uncomfortable with. They seem to be hoping to throw their hands up and say, it wasn't me. It's unlikely that the shaggy defense is going to work here.
Early polling says that 47% of American voters already blame Trump and Republicans for the shutdown, with only 30% blaming Democrats. Americans better buckle up because the Republicans appear to be trying to distance themselves from Trump's actions preemptively. Think about all the nonsense and damage they were okay with being associated with. This looks like it'll be worse than that.
Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.