Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) had a chance to put his money where his mouth is on Thursday when a resolution of opposition against President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration came up for a vote. But he failed miserably and betrayed his principles.
The resolution passed the Senate 59-41, setting up a Trump veto that as of now doesn’t have the votes for an override. And while 12 Republicans joined Democrats to do the right thing, Sasse was not one of them.
Along with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who cowardly reversed himself after writing an op-ed declaring his intent to defend the Constitution by voting for the resolution, Sasse also voted in opposition despite constantly claiming to be a principled conservative who opposes executive overreach.
In a desperate attempt to explain himself, Sasse released a statement.
“I think that law is overly broad and I want to fix it, but at present Nancy Pelosi doesn’t, so I am therefore voting against her politically motivated resolution,” he said, conveniently ignoring that Trump’s national emergency declaration is “politically motivated” and unconstitutional.
After years of criticizing former President Barack Obama for alleged instances of executive overreach, which many conservatives claimed made Obama a “tyrant,” Sasse had no problem letting an authoritarian president continue his onslaught on our democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
In short, Sasse is not only a hypocrite, he’s a Trump stooge.
And Twitter users threw the book at him for it.
I’m not surprised that Ted Cruz supported Trump’s power grab. But I am surprised and disappointed by Ben Sasse. https://t.co/7Ji3rlnV56
— Matt Lewis (@mattklewis) March 14, 2019
An easy call, @bensasse – you vote like a constitutional conservative, or…you aren’t one. https://t.co/43lRdFoGMJ
— Elise Jordan (@Elise_Jordan) March 14, 2019
I appreciate Jonah’s words here. I also admire and appreciate @BenSasse, but I strongly disagree with this vote. https://t.co/D3DiGsDCqT
— David French (@DavidAFrench) March 14, 2019
Words cannot adequately capture my disgust for senators like @BenSasse who cast aside their principles and even their personal dignity to vote for Trump’s bogus emergency. Disgrace that should haunt them for the rest of their political careers. #Craven
— Eliot A Cohen (@EliotACohen) March 14, 2019
Amazing. All of Ben Sasse’s tilting at respectability, all of his claims to be and want something better – couldn’t bring himself to mean it. https://t.co/ljIeT9xZAI
— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) March 14, 2019
Chickenshit statement by @BenSasse. This isn’t about Pelosi. It’s about the Constitution. https://t.co/BsBRwmsxG7
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) March 14, 2019
I think there is no one more disgusting in congress than @BenSasse. He either needs to stop pretending he has principles and stop lecturing the country, or stand up for what he professes to believe in.
But no, “boo-hoo, what if I lose my job!!” trumps all for Ben.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) March 14, 2019
Shame, @BenSasse . Shame. I’ve been listening to your pithy lectures on Congress giving away it’s powerful a couple of years now, and when you have a chance to vote on it, you fold. https://t.co/z5L1tZUXYc
— Bryan McGrath (@ConsWahoo) March 14, 2019
This might be the most @BenSasse statement ever and it’s total weaselly bullshit. Either take a stand, or don’t. Either make the case for Trump, or don’t. But don’t cave and then act like it’s the principled decision. https://t.co/VDW2IcHQS7
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) March 14, 2019
Pray for Ben Sasse’s spine. https://t.co/8Jd88XRqTB
— John Flowers (@MrJohnFlowers) March 14, 2019
Count on @JRubinBlogger to call out the hypocrites: @BenSasse, @SenCoryGardner, and @SenThomTillis. Those three GOP Senators just gave up their standing to claim the high ground of constitutional principle. All three should be defeated in 2020. https://t.co/WJ7zkmh2Fv
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) March 14, 2019
The progressive equivalent of what @BenSasse just did is if Bernie Sanders was like actually nevermind the poor don’t need health care.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) March 14, 2019
Ben Sasse, Thom Tillis, Ted Cruz and the roll-over Republicans. https://t.co/qKQUV2u79l via @BulwarkOnline
— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) March 14, 2019
Senator @BenSasse: truly pathetic. https://t.co/duHLn0j66E
— Soledad O’Brien (@soledadobrien) March 15, 2019
This is disheartening.
He has no excuse.
He knows better. https://t.co/kIArt7m7MY— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 14, 2019
Ben Sasse revealed his true colors with this vote and now the entire country knows he’s a fraud who will get on his knees for Trump. He just destroyed his own legacy and humiliated himself while sacrificing America and the Constitution to protect a real tyrant. He should be ashamed.
Featured Image: Wikimedia
