Trump at one year: Where do Republicans go from here?

Donald Trump became president one year ago. It’s been an extraordinary 12 months.

Trump’s supporters will find much to like in the first year. They like his selection of conservative federal judges, even if some appear unqualified. Trump’s evisceration of federal regulations appeals to some voters, who blame their own job losses on too many rules.

They approve of Trump’s efforts to defeat ISIS. They like the tax bill he signed, and — to be fair — the nation’s economy is growing nicely.

Trump’s opponents will find much to criticize. The president’s ham-handed approach to health care policy leaves millions worrying about their coverage this year. He still can’t figure out what he wants to do with so-called Dreamers, immigrants brought to the United States by their parents, often many years ago.

Congress lurches from crisis to crisis as its members try to fathom what Trump wants on a range of issues. America is still waiting for an infrastructure plan. Voters have no idea if Trump wants to cut Medicare or not. Ditto Social Security.

None of this is a complete surprise. Most Americans expect policy disputes when an administration changes parties.

But Trump’s first year hasn’t really been about policy. It’s been about something far more troublesome: the president’s relentless, ongoing assault against fundamental democratic norms — truth, fairness, diplomacy, seriousness of purpose — that have defined the American democratic experiment for parts of four centuries.

That assault should worry every American. And our elected leaders must work to end it in 2018.

Following democratic norms is critical. Self-government relies on trust, honesty, fundamental integrity. Problems cannot be addressed without them.

Yet the president violates them almost daily. Last week, as the government careened toward a shutdown, no one really knew what the president wanted because he repeatedly contradicted himself.

Trump’s supporters dismiss his outrageous statements and tweets as Trump being Trump. But it is much more than that. The president’s approach has demeaned the presidency, bewildered foreign nations, confused his domestic allies and enraged Americans who care about their country.

For those who may have forgotten, let’s review.

▪ The president falsely claimed record crowds for his inauguration, then falsely claimed he lost the popular vote because of illegal ballots. He then created a flimsy commission to back up his claims, only to watch it collapse.

▪ He signed a hastily-drafted immigration order that courts quickly discarded. The order caused confusion at airports around the country.

▪ He claimed, without evidence, that President Barack Obama had tapped his phones.

▪ He fired James Comey, the head of the FBI. He has publicly criticized his own attorney general. His first press spokesman quit. So did his first chief of staff.

A senior adviser quit. His onetime national security adviser pleaded guilty to a felony. His White House seems in disarray.

▪ He engaged in a weeks-long adolescent Twitter exchange with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, terrifying the world and moving the U.S. closer to a nuclear war.

▪ He waited to speak out after an Olathe murder that appears racially inspired. He said “both sides” shared the blame for racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, that cost an American her life.

▪ He has maintained business connections with hotels and golf courses doing business with the U.S. government, enriching himself.

The president seems unconcerned about any of this. What’s most striking about Trump’s first year is his unparalleled narcissism — particularly for a man who shows virtually no interest in policy, history, compromise or law-making. Nothing anyone writes will ever change his mind.

But those around him have an absolute duty to step forward in 2018 and publicly demand acceptable behavior from the president.

Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas was a Marine. When Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea, in a speech at the U.N., what did the senator have to say? Nothing.

Did local legislators denounced the president’s apparent vulgar reference to Haiti and countries in Africa? Sen. Roy Blunt said it was an “unacceptable thing to say,” which is like claiming a tornado musses the hair.

Sen. Jerry Moran — who showed some courage by indirectly criticizing Trump after Charlottesville — made no publicized statement.

Reps. Sam Graves’ and Kevin Yoder’s silence has enabled the president’s worst impulses. So have Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Lynn Jenkins. Each can point to whispered criticism of Trump, but none has been willing to seriously reproach the president when he violates democratic norms and responsibilities.

Others — GOP Sens. Ben Sasse, Lindsey Graham on occasion, Bob Corker, Jeff Flake, Rand Paul, John McCain — have done so. More voices must join theirs.

We’re not asking for Republicans to abandon the president on policy. We disagree with Trump frequently, but most of his policy positions — the ones he actually takes and understands — are usually within normal boundaries.

Instead, we’re asking members to speak out when Trump uses vulgarity, lies and absurd attacks to further his goals. When he denigrates institutions like the FBI. When he de-legitimizes journalism and citizen engagement. When he tweets stupidity.

The truth is, most members know Trump can be dangerous and ill-informed. They stay largely silent because they see Trump as useful, someone who will approve farm bills and tax cuts and fight immigrants.

We can’t allow them that excuse. No law or proposal is worth permanent damage to our democracy. After a year in office, that debasement is Trump’s primary project — an effort that must be resisted.

This story was originally published January 21, 2018 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Trump at one year: Where do Republicans go from here?."