The GOP's Embrace of Extremism: Paying the Price for Placating Fringe Elements
In an impassioned speech in California, former House Speaker Paul Ryan (a close friend and ally of mine from our days in Congress) fiercely condemned the current state of the Republican Party. He lamented the party's parlous position, citing their dependence on extremist figures and populist imitators. Ryan called for a fundamental reevaluation of traditional Republican values and principles, acknowledging that the party is at a crossroads.
"It's shocking to witness such a disgraceful, dishonorable end to a presidency … Republicans find themselves at a precipice, and that's the reality we must confront. If the conservative cause hinges on the antics of an individual or the shallow allure of a second-rate mimic, then we're heading nowhere. Voters seeking Republican leadership will be unimpressed," Ryan declared.
I wholeheartedly share Ryan's sentiments. His strong words are undoubtedly warranted.
What has alarmed me most among traditional conservatives during the Trump presidency is not their rhetoric, but their silence and lack of constructive responses to the president's ideology-free cronyism, which he promoted while maintaining control of the levers of power. Not infrequently, we heard that we must work with President Trump behind the scenes, convince him to challenge or change his most problematic impulses. I have never accepted this approach.
The futility of backroom diplomacy in the face of Trump's assault on core Republican principles leaves conventional conservatives with few viable options. It compels me and others to question the loyalty of many traditional conservatives to the ideals and values they frequently espouse.
Take, for instance, free trade, as an example. Traditional Republicans have long championed the opening of markets through bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. When Donald Trump (in the name of national security) imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018 (and later rescinded them), I advocated for ways to prevent him from acceding to this, by calling for a vote on Congress's Class-Act Tariffs, which would have imposed taxes on US consumers and businesses.
Although few of my colleagues disagreed with my proposed remedies, they were greeted with a hostile reception. It seems that even our closest ally is better off being insulted than angering an erratic president. Trump's habit of trampling traditional Republican principles reveals itself in a host of other policy areas, such as the deterioration of US contributions to NATO, the portrayal of Russia and its authoritarian leader, national security and so on. The more pervasive role of government, exemplified by the neglect of fiscal restraints, would have sparked fierce opposition from congressional Republicans if a Democratic president had proposed such a policy.
This inability or unwillingness to speak publicly or take legislative action on crucial political issues has created a political vacuum, allowing extreme voices like Rep. Gates and Greene to gain a foothold in the Republican Party. Their vitriolic rhetoric, conspiracy theories, nativism, nihilism, and lack of integrity have made inroads within the party, and we are now dealing with the consequences.
Criticizing the LGBTQ community, peddling false election claims, and swearing allegiance to Trump have emboldened extremists and given them a platform to spread their nonsense. Their words are widely disseminated.
As a former chairman of the House Ethics Committee, I can assure you that once upon a time, members like Gates and Greene were so mortified of their public behavior that they would avoid the limelight and often be forced to resign to prevent further damage to themselves, their families, and the party. Today, they capitalize on their notoriety, posing as victims and launching relentless crusades against political opponents in the media. Standards have clearly declined.
Paul Ryan has taken steps to address issues of ethics and identity politics, stating: "Our party cannot be defined by the latest scandals or perceived slights. We must not allow them to take precedence over improving the well-being of our people." Principled solutions for life, because a policy based on race or another identity always leads to deeper enmity and tragic results, contrary to conservative thinking."
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The absence of sturdy conservative opposition to Trump's questionable actions and policies has contributed to the ascent of extremist voices within the Republican Party in several ways:
- Normalization of Extremist Rhetoric:
- Elise Stefanik's Rise: Once considered a moderate, Stefanik has fully embraced white nationalist extremist rhetoric, including the "great replacement" and "deadly invasion" conspiracy theories. The lack of strong opposition from traditional conservatives has enabled her to rise through the ranks of the Republican Party[2].
- Mainstreaming of Populist Policies:
- Populist Faction: The populist faction within the Republican Party, which opposes legal immigration, free trade, and environmental protection laws, has gained significant influence. This faction, characterized by anti-intellectualism and overtly racial appeals, has been emboldened by the absence of a firm conservative response[4].
- Legitimization of Conspiracy Theories:
- Stefanik’s Endorsement: By endorsing Trump's mass deportation agenda and employing rhetoric that legitimizes fear of an "invasion," Stefanik has contributed to the mainstreaming of harmful conspiracy theories. This has been echoed by other Republican members of Congress, further normalizing extremist views[2].
- Legislative Paralysis and Polarization:
- Moderate Republicans: The near-extinction of moderate Republicans and the increase in polarization within the party have been perpetuated by conservative media and the actions of racially extremist Republicans. This has resulted in legislative paralysis and an environment in which extremist voices dominate the discourse of the party[4].
- Lack of Clear Leadership:
- Trump’s Inconsistent Positions: Trump's eclectic and often contradictory positions have created a vacuum where extremist voices can fill the gap. His actions, such as weakening the individual mandate and reducing funding for ACA advertising, have been criticized for undermining the Affordable Care Act; however, these criticisms have not been strong enough to challenge the influence of extreme voices[5].
In summary, the lack of clear conservative opposition to Trump's actions and policies has allowed extremist voices to gain a foothold within the Republican Party by normalizing extremist rhetoric, mainstreaming populist policies, legitimizing conspiracy theories, leading to legislative paralysis, and creating a leadership vacuum where extremist voices can thrive.
