Former Department of Homeland Security staffer Miles Taylor has criticized House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republican lawmakers for their continued support of former President Donald Trump, despite their serious concerns about his fitness to lead.
Taylor, who previously wrote an anonymous op-ed for the New York Times in September 2018, expressing his concerns about Trump's character and leadership abilities, now regrets not coming forward sooner and believes that remaining silent has had serious consequences for his own well-being. In an interview with The Guardian, Taylor warned that GOP lawmakers are making the same mistake.
Taylor described the Republican Party's flirtation with another far-right populist leader as "civic suicidal ideation." He expressed concern that the collective silence within the party regarding Trump's behavior could potentially lead to self-destruction. While acknowledging that there are individuals sounding the alarm, Taylor criticized the leading figures of the Republican Party for refusing to repudiate Trump and continuing to support him, despite privately acknowledging the threat he poses.
As the former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, Taylor has firsthand experience working closely with Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taylor accused McCarthy of moral cowardice, stating that he believed McCarthy privately viewed Trump as a buffoon and a danger, but publicly supported him out of fear. Taylor argued that this collective anonymity within the party puts the country in great danger.
Taylor revealed that he had spoken with many Republicans on Capitol Hill who expressed contempt for Trump. While some GOP lawmakers have privately voiced their concerns to reporters, few have been willing to go on the record. Taylor highlighted the hypocrisy of those who criticized him for publishing anonymous critiques of the president, only to later request anonymity themselves when interviewed for his book. He described this behavior as "insane hypocrisy."
Despite his own initial belief that Trump could be defeated, Taylor now warns that the twice-impeached and twice-indicted former president has the potential to defeat President Joe Biden. He believes that this outcome would be detrimental to democracy unless Republicans speak out against Trump.
Taylor urged Republicans to speak out from within the party, as he believes their voices would provide air cover for others to do the same. He expressed concern that the party is repeating the same mistakes made in the past and emphasized the importance of his book, titled "Blowback: A Warning to Save Democracy from the Next Trump," as a call to action.
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