Last May, I criticized President Trump’s $1.776 billion dollar Anti-Weaponization Fund intended to gift taxpayer dollars to the January 6th insurrectionists, as well as a settlement agreement between the president, his associates and the IRS, which permanently barred the IRS from investigating his tax returns. I called for every "Republican member of Congress [to] now act: Stand up, speak out, and ensure we remain a nation of laws, not men, and that no man is above the law.”
Very few stood up or spoke out.
Since becoming president in January 2025, President Trump:
Imposed more than $200 billion in tariffs. Republican economic principles recognize tariffs as a tax which hits working class and middle income Americans the hardest and runs counter to the free-trade, open-markets philosophy of the Republican Party.
Has run historically high budget deficits, never offered legitimate spending cuts, and pushed the national debt to a record high.
Repeatedly demonized Democrats as socialists who were hell-bent on destroying America while at the same time, acting as a socialist by executing or proposing direct equity deals with an estimated 40 to 43 companies.
Started a disastrous war with Iran, which has dragged on for eight months despite his repeated insistence it would be over in a matter of weeks. This is in violation of the War Powers Act which requires consultation and approval by Congress within a matter of months after U.S. forces enter hostilities.
Said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day. Of course, that is typical Trump self-aggrandizement. But worse, he has largely refused to criticize Russia for its invasion of a free and independent nation and refused to hold it accountable for its numerous war crimes. Most recently he signed a deal with Russia to purchase its diesel fuel, thereby funding its war machine in violation of the “Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act.“ That law bans the import of Russian-origin petroleum products, including refined fuels like diesel, unless the president certifies to Congress that Russia has met certain criteria, including an agreement to withdraw its troops and cease hostilities under terms acceptable to Ukraine.
Directed mass deportation campaigns conducted by masked federal agents who have repeatedly used excessive force to cause death and injury, and deported people from the United States in the dark of night while denying constitutionally guaranteed due process.
Arrogantly mocked the public concern over the cost of living by calling rising prices a “hoax,” a “con job” and a “Democratic scam,” while anyone who buys groceries, gas, or any other consumer goods knows higher prices are a reality causing significant hardship to every economic class in America.
Stripped the Department of Justice of its independence, hijacked it as his own law firm and weaponized it by directing it to hunt down and charge his political opponents. Federal judges have repeatedly criticized Justice Department lawyers for presenting false and misleading information.
Repeatedly promised to release the full government files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and even after signing a law from Congress requiring this disclosure, repeatedly blocked the full release of these files, apparently because his name and that of his friends featured so prominently.
Unjustly enriched himself and his children with billions of dollars in various transparently self-dealing schemes.
Most Washington Republicans stood by, silently, through all of this.
After remaining silent for the past two years, Americans went to the polls on November 3rd, and they stood up and spoke up. Now, the Republicans in Washington have paid the price for their silence.
As a Republican, I hope it is a lesson learned.
John Mizner of Erie is an attorney and a lifelong Republican who served as chairman of the Republican Committee of Erie County for 14 years and held leadership roles in the election and reelection of President George W. Bush, Governor Tom Ridge, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman Phil English, Attorney General Mike Fisher and state Senator Jane Earll.