Manafort, Cohen cause no GOP earthquake on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — In the days after President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of tax and bank fraud, and Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen plead guilty to charges that included illegal campaign c ontribut i ons allegedly orchestrated by Trump, there was no rush to the exits by Republicans in the Congress.
“We’ll have to see where this goes, we just don’t know where it goes from here,” said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., as GOP senators gave no hints of any rush away from President Trump, despite the twin legal setbacks on Tuesday.
“I’m sure we’ll stay tuned for the next move,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Geor- gia, who told reporters that he saw no need for any imme- diate reaction by the Congress, which left Democrats fuming.
“The Republican response so far has been an abdication of moral and legal responsibility,” said Sen. Richard Blu- menthal, D-Conn., as Democrats expressed frustration over the legal chain of events, with some labeling it a “watershed moment.”
“Obviously, it’s shocking and very concerning,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said of Cohen’s remarks incourt, where the president’s former lawyer and long time “fixer” made clear he had been directed by Trump to pay off two women to keep them silent before the 2016 election.
“I have a lot of faith in our judicial system,” said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.
But if Democrats were looking for Republicans to suddenly stand and demand that Trump leave the White House in the wake of the Manafort and Cohen developments – there was none of that brewing in the halls of Congress last week.
Asked about making any legislative moves to defend the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller – routinely denounced by the president as a “witch hunt” – there was also no GOP urgency.
“I don’t think Mueller needs any protection, at least he doesn’t need any protection from me,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Just as Trump has attacked the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 elections – and accused Mueller of stacking his investigation with partisan Democrats – that was echoed by a Repub- lican House member who was indicted on corruption charges earlier this week.
“It’s h appening with Trump, and it’s happening with me,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who was charged along with his wife with illegally diverting over $250,000 in campaign funds for personal use.
Hunter said the case was nothing but a political vendetta.
Back on Capitol Hill, Democrats saw something much different.
“It is of course is troubling for our country,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said of the Cohen revelations. Mail them to us at: 1611 S. Main Street Dayton, Ohio 45419