Sarah Longwell Criticizes GOP Silence on Trump’s Influence as Impotent and Compromised

Republican pollster Sarah Longwell offered a stark critique of her party’s evolution on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House, saying the GOP has grown increasingly willing to compromise its principles, leaving it “impotent” in the face of Donald Trump’s influence.

Host Nicolle Wallace opened the discussion with a clip of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) condemning the actions of January 6 defendants who attacked police officers, calling for them to be punished. However, Cruz has since softened his stance, aligning with Trump, who issued pardons or commutations to many of those involved in the Capitol riot.

While some Republicans express opposition to violent assaults on police, Longwell pointed out, “They’re not going hard at Trump.” She argued that this reluctance stemmed from the loud and threatening nature of Trump’s supporters, which effectively silenced internal criticism.

“Menace and intimidation by Trump supporters have gone a long way over the last eight years to silencing Republican criticism of Donald Trump,” said Longwell, who also publishes The Bulwark. “They’ve made Republicans take the voice in their head that knows the difference between right and wrong, understands the right thing to do, and shelve that part of them when they get shouted down by Trump supporters.”

Longwell highlighted several instances where Republicans succumbed to this pressure. For example, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) initially opposed Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense but reversed course after facing threats, including a promise from Elon Musk to spend unlimited resources to primary any Republican who opposed Trump.

Similarly, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has often been cited as another example of a lawmaker bending to Trump’s will. Trump’s actions, including his willingness to pardon those who attacked public officials and police in his defense, represent a dangerous precedent, Longwell warned. “That is one of the scariest things I have ever seen happen in this country,” she said.

Longwell concluded that the lack of resistance from within the GOP is deeply troubling. “The fact that there is an impotent Republican Party unwilling to stand up and say anything at this moment tells you everything you need to know about how they’re going to behave over the next four years.”

Her comments underscore ongoing concerns about Trump’s dominance within the GOP and its implications for the party’s ability to act independently.