This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
The NeverTrump Vindication ¶
As the impeachment inquiry against President Trump continues, a significant shift in public opinion is becoming apparent. A new poll finds that nearly one in five Republicans support impeachment and removal, while 47 percent of independents do the same.
At the heart of this shift is the NeverTrump movement, which has been a thorn in the side of the president since his election. The movement's central tenet is the decency of being scandalized by the president's actions, unlike the opportunism required to go along with him.
Trump's decision to lambaste Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman as a 'Never Trumper' is a clear indication of his fear of the movement's growing influence. The combat veteran's simple decency in being scandalized by the president's actions on the Ukraine phone call has made him a target of the president's ire.
However, the NeverTrump movement remains important, and its influence is not limited to the impeachment inquiry. The movement's sense of scandal has led to the first significant G.O.P. revolt against Trump since John McCain turned his thumb down on Obamacare repeal in 2017.
As the president's support with his base slips, the NeverTrump movement is gaining momentum. A new poll finds Trump's support among Republicans at 74 percent, an eight-point decline since September and the lowest since he was elected.
While it remains unlikely that at least 20 Republican senators will vote for Trump's removal from office, the movement's influence is undeniable. Trump knows that the number needed to spell his moral defeat on impeachment is four, and the NeverTrump movement is working tirelessly to ensure that those four votes are cast.
As the impeachment inquiry continues, the NeverTrump movement will remain a key player in the drama unfolding in Washington. Its influence is a testament to the power of decency and the importance of standing up against opportunism and corruption.
