Trump’s white hot need for vengeance is running up against Republican senators that dearly wish they had not been put into this “no-win” position. These senators are likely suppressing some deep resent toward Trump himself. How could they not?

As you know from yesterday, we reported that Lindsey Graham came out early to sneer into a microphone that he would use the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigative ability to “get to the bottom of this crap” with respect to how the impeachment process came about. Graham vowed to investigate the whistleblower, Burisma and the Bidens. Graham is Trump’s attack dog in the Senate, McConnell is the blind-assist dog. Most no longer question that Graham is the face of Trump’s need for vengeance, the one ordered to deal with Trump’s enemies list.

But unlike yesterday, when we only heard general reports of pushback, today we have Republican names and statements, indicative of the widening of the rift. This is going to cause big resentment within the Republican party, deservedly so.

In discussing Trump and the base’s need for revenge, the Daily Beast’s Sam Brodey reports:

The problem, however, is that on Capitol Hill, the appetite for a sweeping probe into the Bidens and Burisma appears limited—even among staunch defenders of the president.”

Speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) attempted to throw cold water on Graham’s plans that appear to be aimed as much at pleasing Donald Trump as attacking Democrats. “I think we should all hold hands in a big circle, sing Kumbaya, and quit all the stupid investigations,” Paul explained. “We can do these endless recriminations forever and ever if we want… I think people are tired of the damn impeachment. Why can’t we start talking about some things we could do to help the country, you know?”

Because you are now subservient to Trump, having sold your souls? That would be my first guess, Senator Paul.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) agreed, while also admitting that he has concerns about the Bidens. “I don’t think there should be a tremendous, long-term protracted something unless something is there,” Lankford told the Beast when asked about Graham’s proposal.

Nice hedge, but we’re not buying it.

The rift is going to widen, because Trump has never felt more in control and never been so enraged. He is humiliated and angry. Tomorrow, Republican senators will likely have to face a terrible choice, whether or not to censure Trump, a no-win vote. They have enough problems with their own humiliation.

But there is only one person who matters to today’s GOP. There will be revenge. If Republican senators won’t do it, then Trump will insist that his own DOJ or third-parties (Rudy, et. al.) take on the cause. The risk will not be confined, though. Republican senators will be on the hook for whatever Trump does.

Any split in the GOP helps the Democrats, obviously. To the extent that any Republicans in congress lose faith in Trump or resent Trump, it helps the Democrats long-term. Republican senators now fully own Trump, and they know it.

They best get used to this sinking feeling. They’ve lost any semblance of independence, and attached their own fate to a man whom they don’t even really know. They cannot predict what evidence will drip out later, nor how Trump will react to the impeachment. Will Trump seek more foreign interference? Will more evidence come out? Will Trump publicly demand investigations and put Republicans in a worse spot?

We don’t know, but neither do they. Tough spot, well-earned.

****

Peace, y’all

Jason

[email protected] and on Twitter @MiciakZoom