Republicans mum as Trump adopts Obama tactics – Minneapolis Star Tribune
WASHINGTON It was only a few months ago when Republicans routinely blasted the president for what they called his executive overreach and his failure to tout America's superiority over other nations. Not so much anymore.
Now that Barack Obama is out of the White House, Republicans have become noticeably quiet on a host of issues that used to spark their criticism.
In the last few days, President Donald Trump's actions have thrown the spotlight on three things Republicans don't seem to mind now that their fellow Republican is in charge:
RELYING ON EXECUTIVE ACTION:
For years, Republicans skewered Obama for allegedly ruling by fiat, accusing him of acting like an "emperor" for using executive orders to push through his agenda. That was especially true when it came to Obama's decision to protect from deportation more than 700,000 young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.
But now that Trump is in the White House, their tune has changed.
Trump has spent his first weeks in office relying on executive action to make good on a long list of campaign promises. Most controversial: His order suspending the country's refugee program and blocking immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries, which is now held up in court.
Asked recently if President Trump was doing the same thing as Obama, House Speaker Paul Ryan scoffed.
"It's quite the opposite," he told reporters at a recent GOP retreat, arguing that Obama had exceeded his power and that Trump was merely trying to reverse it.
"He's restoring the proper balance," said Ryan. "And in our opinion he is undoing a lot of damage that was done by the last president, who exceeded his power."
___
FAILING TO EMBRACE AMERICAM EXCEPTIONALISM:
It was a running theme during Obama's tenure: The president, Republicans would argue, failed to embrace a brand of "American exceptionalism" that sees the U.S. as morally superior to other nations.
"We have a president right now who thinks America's just another nation," once-GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said during a 2011 primary debate. "America is an exceptional nation."
Obama defended himself, saying in 2014 that he believed "in American exceptionalism with every fiber of my being."
Trump doesn't seem worried about the criticism.
In an interview with Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly that aired over the weekend, Trump dismissed concerns about befriending Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"But he's a killer though. Putin's a killer," O'Reilly said.
"We've got a lot of killers," Trump responded. "Boy, you think our country's so innocent?"
Pressed on the exchange in an interview with CBS'S "Face the Nation," Vice President Mike Pence stumbled on the question of whether he and the president think America is morally superior to Russia.
But he eventually said: "I believe that the ideals that America has stood for throughout our history represent the highest ideals of humankind."
___
CRITICIZING THE JUDICIARY:
In 2010, President Obama delivered a rare, in-person rebuke of the Supreme Court. During his State of the Union speech, with justices sitting in the audience, Obama criticized the court's decision in the Citizens United campaign finance case.
Obama opened his remarks by saying his criticism was "with all due deference to separation of powers," but then argued the ruling reversed "a century of law" that would open the floodgates to money from special interests.
Critics decried the move as a breach of decorum that politicized the court.
And Trump has launched his own offensive against the judiciary branch with personal attacks on the federal judge who halted his immigration order.
"The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!" Trump tweeted over the weekend.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on CNN that it was likely "best to avoid criticizing judges individually."
But Pence defended the president's actions, telling NBC's "Meet the Press" that "the president of the United States has every right to criticize the other two branches of government."
__
Follow Colvin on Twitter athttps://twitter.com/colvinj
See the original post:
Republicans mum as Trump adopts Obama tactics - Minneapolis Star Tribune
- Republicans Target Democrats Over Transgender Policies in This Years Races - wsj.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Jeffries warns of swift and decisive legal action if Republicans refuse to seat Grijalva - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump wants to get rid of mail voting. Pa. Republicans are urging voters to use it. - 90.5 WESA - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Vermont Republicans gather to discuss local issues and party reorganization efforts - WCAX - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- JD Vance ignores public backlash in refusing to condemn racist group chat by Young Republicans - Milwaukee Independent - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- What Michigan Republicans are saying in response to No Kings protests - ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump turns up the pressure on Indiana Republicans to redistrict - Politico - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Republicans Should Be AfraidJust Look at Who Joined No Kings Protests - The New Republic - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- New York State Young Republicans organization disbanded amid fallout over racist group chat report - CBS News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- ICYMI: Rosen Talks to Nevadans Affected by Republicans Refusal to Extend Affordable Care Act Tax Credits, Reopen Government - U.S. Senate (.gov) - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- David M. Drucker: Republicans are becoming the party of big government - Pioneer Press - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump can't run again. It's Republicans who have to answer for him with voters. | Opinion - USA Today - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After Racist Texts, New York G.O.P. Is Set to Disband Young Republicans - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Opinion | Are these young Republicans the future? If so, the partys in trouble. - The Washington Post - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Some GOP leaders call for resignation of Young Republicans who allegedly texted slurs, racist messages - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME EXACT THING AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS. THATS THE CLASSIC DEFINITION OF LEGISLATIVE INSANITY ... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- NC Republicans release map they hope will help GOP pick up another Congressional seat - WUNC - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Vance again downplays Young Republicans texts, looks to shift attention to Virginia AG race - Politico - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Schumer Calls on Trump and Vance to Condemn Young Republicans Texts - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Pressley Slams Republicans for Raising Healthcare Costs for Families, Shutting Down Government - House.gov - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Vance on Young Republicans chat: Thats what kids do - The Hill - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson on Day 16 of the Democrat Shutdown: While House Republicans Help American Families Navigate the Democrat Shutdown, House Democrats are... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Supreme Court backs Fontes on election rulebook creation process, handing defeat to Republicans - Arizona Mirror - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Multiple GOP offices received flags with 'optical illusion' swastikas earlier this year, Republicans say - NBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Dem Rep. says Republicans need to "listen to Marjorie Taylor Greene" to end the shutdown - CNN - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The Supreme Court Case That Could Hand the House to Republicans - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- JD Vance reacts to Young Republicans leaked Telegram group chat - USA Today - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- A Supreme Court ruling on voting rights could boost Republicans' redistricting efforts - NPR - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- ICYMI: Congressman Ro Khanna Slams Republicans for Shutting Down the Government and Hiding the Epstein Files - Democrats - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- NC Republicans release map they hope will help GOP pick up another Congressional seat - WFAE - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- AOC says Republicans are refusing to work to end shutdown - CNN - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- JD Vance tells outraged Dems to grow up about young Republicans leaked texts - New York Post - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- As ballots drop, Democrats and Republicans across Washington are keeping a close eye on the 26th Legislative District - Northwest Progressive... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The Young Republicans Leaked Chat Is a Sign of Where We Could Be Headed - Politico - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Republicans Face Fallout From Racist and Homophobic Texts - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Analysis | The truths beneath Republicans shutdown strategy - The Washington Post - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: "REPUBLICANS HAVE SHUT THE GOVERNMENT DOWN BECAUSE OF THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO EVERYDAY AMERICANS" -... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Full List of Young Republicans Involved in Offensive Chats - Newsweek - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The Virginia counties where Republicans will need to regain ground in the governor's race: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Young Republicans Demand Resignation of Leaders Allegedly Involved in Racist Group Chat - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The redistricting fight is still going. Republicans are winning. - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Five Republicans, one Democrat running to fill vacancy in Oklahoma House - Oklahoma Voice - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- MSU College Republicans paint over Indigenous Peoples' Day artwork on The Rock - The State News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republicans Thought Democrats Would Cave on the Shutdown. Now They Expect Them to Drag It Out. - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Kansas Young Republicans shut down after leaders involvement in sprawling chat involving numerous slurs, threats against opponents - KVOE - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republicans talk government shutdown and cheer ICE arrest of superintendent at Roast and Ride - Iowa Public Radio - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Johnson says he had 'thoughtful' conversation with MTG about bucking Republicans on healthcare - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Why Republicans attempts to kill Obamacare keep backfiring - The Washington Post - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans Arent Just Gutting Health Care. Theyre Taking Your Sick Leave, Too - Rolling Stone - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans hope Erika Kirk can bring more young women into the party - NBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans who voted for RFK Jr. baffled by his autism-circumcision claims - The Independent - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law protecting whales, seals and polar bears - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Sen. Chuck Schumer says Republicans are 'feeling the heat' about the American health care crisis - MSNBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Oakland University police are investigating after Oakland County Republicans said a student at the school published a social media post calling for... - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law protecting whales, seals and polar bears - AP News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Few Legislative Republicans Break with Trump on Jailing Pritzker - The Illinoize - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Press Release: Senator Mark Kelly Urges Republicans to Address Rising Health Care Costs During Recent Interviews - Quiver Quantitative - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- GOP leaders are encouraging Pennsylvania Republicans to embrace mail-in voting. It appears to be working. - Post-Gazette - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- KING: The College Republicans letter to the Board dishonors the University - The Cavalier Daily - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Amid sagging revenues, NH Republicans to push for lowering key business tax - New Hampshire Public Radio - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law credited with saving rare whales - Yahoo News UK - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Letter to the editor: This is what Republicans are supporting - The Mendocino Voice - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans Have an Opportunity to Score in New York Inside Sources - Prescott eNews - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Condemns Senate Republicans for Attacking Abortion Access Instead of Working to Reopen the Government - Reproductive Freedom for All - Reproductive... - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Bookman: Republicans will pay for inaction on expiring health care subsidies - Georgia Recorder - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- MAGA Republicans Threaten Going Nuclear To End Government Shutdown - Yahoo News Singapore - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- WisDems: Wisconsin Republicans fight to raise health care prices by keeping the government shutdown - WisPolitics - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Colorado Democrats push Republicans to negotiate on health care to reopen federal government - Colorado Newsline - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans reject push to block Trump from using Qatari jet as Air Force One - Politico - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Ohio Republicans want public schools to teach positive impacts of Christianity on history - Ohio Capital Journal - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- The Supreme Court Has the Chance to Give Republicans a Big Hand in the Midterms - Hungarian Conservative - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Article | Republicans are in disarray one week into the shutdown - POLITICO Pro - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans Pushed Hundreds of Bills This Year to Curtail Local Governments - EXPOSEDbyCMD - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Tensions Heighten Between Texas GOP Executive Committee and House Republicans Ahead of Censure Vote - The Texan - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Two Republicans vote with Dems as Senate GOP spikes bid to block Trump's strikes on drug-smuggling boats - Fox News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans think theyre winning the messaging war even as polls show theyre losing - MSNBC News - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Ranking Members Raskin, Swalwell Statement on Senate Republicans Misdirected Outrage Regarding DOJs Investigation of the Criminal Conspiracy to... - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans vote against check on Trump using deadly force against cartels - The Guardian - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Vance heads to Indiana after Republicans warn White House of stalled redistricting push - Politico - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]