Representative Eric Swalwell argued that Republicans oppose Ukraine aid because they reflexively do what former President Donald Trump wants.
“Republicans are soft on Russia. They see it as Trump likes Russia, Russia likes Trump, so we have to go with Trump,” began Swalwell.
He continued, “And that is how they’re going to view this all the way through. And it is too bad because if you really took a step back, you could see that Ukraine’s freedom ultimately is America’s freedom. That is the story of history when it comes to Russia and brutal, ruthless dictators. But the other piece here, because they love to thump their chest and say they’re tough on China, well, I don’t know if you’re Taiwan and you’re watching, why would you for a second think they would stand up for you when you’re attacked?”
Swalwell noted this could undermine perceptions of Republican support for Taiwan if China attacks.
He contended Republicans have turned Congress into the largest law firm working solely for Trump, so they oppose Ukraine funding because Trump does.
Swalwell added, “I think they’re all in for Trump. They’ve turned this Congress into the largest law firm in D.C. that works on behalf of just one client, Donald Trump. So, all they know reflexively is to do what he wants. If Trump says no Ukraine funding, no Ukraine funding. If their own most conservative members strike a border deal but it clicks for Trump, it doesn’t help him politically, they’re going to kill the border deal.
He concluded, “Frankly, Democrats, we have to show voters who hate politics that this is Republican efforts to put politics over people, and we want to flip that script, and everything we do is to try to put people over politics.”
Swalwell added Democrats must show voters how Republican actions prioritize politics over people, aiming to flip that script by putting people over politics in their own efforts.
