Emmer, fellow GOPers bow down to Trump

Editor's comment: The thoughts expressed in editorial pieces are solely those of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, separate from the newsroom. ••• The saying, "Campaigns matter", is a belief long held by the Star Tribune Editorial Board. We hope that policymakers, particularly those with greater understanding, would also ascribe to this belief. Hence, witnessing Minnesota's Republican congressional group unanimously backing ex-President Donald Trump this past Wednesday was greatly disillusioning (though not unexpected). It seems to matter little that there are credible, conservative alternatives in the vibrant race opposing the disorderly, inflammatory frontrunner. Nor does it appear important that their chosen candidate is facing four accusations and 91 charges, or that he promises revenge through his rallying cries, stating, "I am your retribution." The GOP delegates were rallied by House Majority Whip and third-ranking Republican Tom Emmer of the Sixth District, asserting that "Democrats have made clear they will use every tool in their arsenal to try and keep Joe Biden and his failed policies in power" in a statement posted on X. This case of projecting is rather ironic when considering it was Trump who exploited all means to hold onto power; even bypassing the Constitution and inciting a MAGA mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol, endangering U.S. legislators, Emmer's peers, and former Vice President Mike Pence. Trump continues to dishonestly deny the shame and embraces a rhetoric which makes Republicans likelier "to be more sympathetic to those who stormed the U.S. Capitol and more likely to absolve Donald Trump of responsibility for the attacks than they were in 2021", as revealed in a Tuesday Washington Post poll. Another disturbing disclosure was a Post poll on Thursday, revealing that 44% of Trump voters believe the FBI orchestrated the Jan. 6 outrage. The Minnesota congressional Republicans, unfortunately, appear to be making excuses for Trump, unlike a few of their peers (many sadly forced out) like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, true conservatives prioritizing the nation over their party. Emmer, who proudly endorsed Trump despite his prior attempt to disrupt his own presidential bid by labeling Emmer a "globalist RINO" (Republican in name only), appears devoid of this moral fortitude. As Trump wrote on Truth Social, Emmer was "totally out of touch with Republican Voters." Yet, the endorsement on Wednesday affirms that Emmer and his Republican congressional partners from Minnesota have completely ceded to Trump's demands, which according to Trump implied they "learned their lesson", albeit a misguided one.