Republican Senator Bob Corker just threw down the gauntlet for Donald Trump’s ouster
Throughout the course of Sunday, we’ve seen a day-long escalating war of words between Donald Trump and influential Republican Senator Bob Corker. Trump started the day by tweeting questionable claims about Corker, which prompted Corker to fire back that Trump had turned the White House into “adult day care.” Now Corker has given an interview in which he flat out states that he thinks Trump is going to get us all killed.
Corker has told the New York Times that Trump has America “on the path to World War III” which of course would lead to the death of everyone involved. He’s also said that Trump would “have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.” (link). Corker hasn’t yet gone as far as outright calling for Trump’s ouster in exact words. But by explicitly stating that we’re all going to die if Trump remains in power, he’s implying that Trump needs to be ousted – and he appears to be on the verge of saying it. The fallout from Corker’s words could be immediate.
It’s likely that Bob Corker gave the interview to the New York Times prior to today, and that the newspaper called Trump’s White House for comment just before publishing the story – which would explain why Trump began tweeting negative things about Corker early this morning. That means Corker’s words are not a response to Trump’s tweets, and instead it’s the other way around. Trump clearly fears the impact that Corker’s words might have on the Republican Party leadership itself.
Bob Corker is set to retire in 2018, so he can say whatever he wants without fear of repercussions. The brunt of those repercussions usually hits the first person to say it the hardest. Corker is willing to absorb that brunt. It’ll make it a whole lot easier for other Republicans in office to now call out Trump in similar fashion. This coming week may represent uncharted territory.
