Another day, another story about how congressional Republicans are aghast at and alarmed and disappointed by Donald Trump’s behavior. Make that another story in which the traditional media quotes a lot of whining Republicans without pointing out that those same Republicans do have some power in this situation.
“I think there will be continued pressure from Congress to do more” about … something, Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner told CNN, which apparently didn’t ask him what kind of pressure and how that would differ from past behavior by Republicans.
The Cabinet filled with acting secretaries is “not a good situation,” says Sen. Ron Johnson, who similarly is not quoted elaborating on just what he plans to do about it. Ditto West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who said, “I do think the acting secretary issue is problematic because it doesn't give us as members the oversight that we need to have,” and ha ha ha ha, Republicans want oversight, yeah, sure they do.
“I don't know whether it's legal or illegal” to transport migrants to sanctuary cities, Florida Sen. Rick Scott told CNN, but “I mean, maybe he's just saying this to make everybody crazy, make everybody talk about it on their shows.” So, uh, why bother, as a United States senator, finding out if it’s legal or illegal, I guess?
Republicans complain about Trump. It’s a thing they do. Until they are doing some other things, the media needs to point out that the complaints are a ritual and not a practical step toward changing the situation.