CNN senior political commentator Rahm Emanuel, who served as White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama, on Friday forcefully dismissed Republicans who are only now expressing opposition to President Donald Trump, labeling them “a bunch of chumps.”
Emanuel’s Critique of GOP Opposition
Appearing on “The Situation Room,” Emanuel addressed Trump’s proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which a new lawsuit alleges could be used to finance far-right extremists involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Several Republican senators have pushed back against the fund.
“You have people who pillared the United States House and Senate. They were then punished by the Justice Department. They were then pardoned by Donald Trump — and now he wants to pay them,” Emanuel said. “The four P’s. That’s what happened here.”
He continued, “And this is not gonna happen. And the Republicans, now they’re revolting only because they’re scared about their own future. What about the future of this country? What about the future of the families that literally can’t pay bills and gas right now?”
Economic Concerns vs. Trump’s Priorities
Emanuel noted that the national average cost for a gallon of gasoline is currently around $4.50, a full dollar higher this Memorial Day than it was last year. He argued that Trump’s attention appears to be elsewhere, such as on the pushback to his slush fund.
Trump had sued the IRS for $10 billion over the leak of his tax returns during his first term but withdrew the lawsuit Monday in exchange for the $1.776 billion fund. Critics say the fund could be used to compensate Trump’s allies for alleged political persecution.
Several Republicans have condemned the fund and helped advance legislation Tuesday seeking to force Trump to withdraw from his Iran war, creating an apparent rift within the party ahead of midterm elections that many believe could be disastrous for the GOP.
“So, all of a sudden, they’re worried,” Emanuel said. “I mean, in my view, the Republicans in the House and Senate are acting like a bunch of chumps. They’re worried only because it impacts them, but they’ve been silent for the last two years or 18 months.”
Obama’s former chief of staff added that Trump “has actually adversely affected working families” during that time, making grocery bills and health care costs “much more expensive” while claiming otherwise, and failing to find long-term solutions to affordable housing.
“How about worrying about their future?” Emanuel said. “Not yours.”
