'Distressed' Republicans react to White House chaos: 'The wheels may be coming off'
Thursday was a chaotic day in the Trump administration, and it left Republicans everywhere in a daze.
It all started with Trump saying he would not sign a funding bill passed by the Senate because it does not include the $5 billion he has requested for border wall funding, all but guaranteeing a government shutdown. This stunned Republican lawmakers, CNN reports. When she heard about what Trump said, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) remarked, "Ugh, are you ruining my life?" Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) observed, "This is not a good situation." Politico reports the chaos literally made Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) laugh out loud, saying, "You can't make this stuff up!"
The day went from bad to worse, with Defense Secretary James Mattis resigning in protest of Trump's foreign policy impulses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in response that he was "distressed." Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said that with Mattis gone, "we are headed towards a series of grave policy errors which will endanger our nation, damage our alliances, and empower our adversaries." Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) tweeted, "This chaos, both foreign and domestic, is putting America in danger and must stop immediately."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There was also a report Thursday that the administration plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, which Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), normally a Trump ally, said could be "paving the way toward a second 9/11."
Off the record, the Republican reactions have been even less measured. A senior GOP congressman told CNN, "The wheels may be coming off." A former administration official told The Washington Post, "There's going to be an intervention." And The New York Times' Maggie Haberman reported that some conservatives who have worked for Trump or supported him are saying they "regret" doing so and that the administration is "off the rails," per Mediaite. She added that, considering Republican support would be required to impeach Trump, this "could be a critical moment."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - December 2, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - good boy, shortcut to the landfill, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The sticky issue of honey fraud
In the Spotlight Supermarket shelves are flooded with fake nectars laced with cheap sugar syrups
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab: Dubai's outrageous peak of luxury
The Week Recommends The Grande Dame of the city's sea and skyline still towers above competitors in race for best hotels in the world
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire
Speed Read Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against Trump
Speed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published