Making frowny faces at the TV cameras is not the same as ‘action’.

With the recent revelations about Trump, Republicans either reiterated their bland responses, or simply stopped answering questions.

“We could do with a little less drama from the White House on a lot of things.”
— Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).

The intelligence sharing was “deeply disturbing”.
— Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona).

“Obviously, they’re in a downward spiral right now and have got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening.”  “The chaos that is being created by the lack of discipline is creating … a worrisome environment.”
— Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tennessee).

It would “be very troubling,” if Trump shared classified information with the Russians.
— Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Of course, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that everything is fine, and there’s no problem with any of Trump’s actions.  So I guess that defines one end of the Republican spectrum.  Being ‘concerned’ is a big step up, compared to that.

But none of these reactions are appropriate to the accusations.  If the reports are true, it wasn’t ‘worrying’; it was criminal obstruction of justice.  No, they didn’t miss that point; they’re Senators and Congresspeople and they’re perfectly aware of the gravity of the allegations.  You know all those pols who shout “Gosh, I haven’t see that yet!” as they run away, suddenly too busy to talk?   Yeah, they’re all lying through their teeth on the assumption we don’t mind that part, too.

I really do mind being openly lied to.  These people are accepting our money to work as public servants.  Me, I think that getting their basic and essential honesty is a big god damn issue.  Feel free to say they’re just showing reasonable caution, if you don’t mind looking like a fool.  If the shoe were on the other foot, the Republicans would be shrieking at the first hint of scandal, and they’d be hysterical by now.  We have too many examples of selective outrage.

Remember when I wrote that this was a test?  The question is whether Republicans will find whether they care more about the country than their party, and whether the Republican Party stands for more than simple re-election.

Both individual Republicans and the Republican Party as a whole are failing both questions miserably, so far, but I still have hope.

There has been interesting surprises.  Of all people, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Republican from endless tawdry Benghazi hearings) looks to be close to issuing subpoenas.

Chaffetz is the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  During what was supposed to be a trivial handwave at oversight, he uncovered that Michael Flynn broke serious laws, and the DOD Inspector General has opened up separate investigations of their own.

That scared Chaffetz so badly he announced he won’t run for re-election, and might resign at any moment, because of… well, he never did say why.  Which makes his next actions doubly interesting.  Chaffetz is now looking at exposing tons of new evidence that could expand his investigation into potentially criminal obstruction and treason reaching up through the White House to the very Republican President himself.  Given his last reaction, you’d think Chaffetz would have followed Rep. Devin Nunes’ example, and recused himself, scheduled some urgent surgery back in Utah, decided to spend way more time with his family, or anything that’s far, far away from his committee room.  Instead, for all his grimacing, he hasn’t run away yet.

Jason!  Who knew you had it in you?

And then there’s Speak of the House Paul Ryan.  According to a Post article this was his response to the Comey letter about Trump’s attempt to obstruct the Michael Flynn investigation:

Ryan also questioned why Comey didn’t “take action” after his meeting with Trump.

“There’s clearly a lot of politics being played here,” Ryan said. “It is obvious there are some people out there who want to harm the president.”

Yeah, that’s the problem.  Nothing to do with Trump or his party, nosir.  The problem is with those… those… all those other people who talk about it.  That’s the real problem.

Not hard to see where than man of strong ethical standing… um, sits.