The rot at the top

Having convinced themselves that nothing matters, Republicans have encouraged the notion that they can get away with pretty much anything because their tribal allies will always provide them cover. The consequence has not only been an extraordinary tolerance for deception, corruption, and cruelty, but an embrace of a free-floating moral relativism that is wholly alien to the traditional notions of conservatism.

The congressional GOP is not simply collateral damage here. Their own invertebrate quiescence has not simply enabled Trumpism’s worst and most dangerous instincts, but actually has encouraged them.

Under Trump, the GOP is not merely tolerating swampiness, it has created the ideal, fetid environment for growing and multiplying swamp creatures. Worse, Trumpism has seemingly robbed Republicans of the capacity to confront the moral rot they have helped create. No GOP senator seems eager to play the role that Senator Howard Baker played in Watergate. There are no Barry Goldwaters willing to tell the president hard truths.