On Thursday, Senator Harry Reid delivered a speech that accuses Republican House and Senate leaders of "moral cowardice" for allowing GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump to rise.
Senator Reid argued that the rise of Donald Trump should not come as a surprise to the Republicans since its leaders failed to stand up against him. According to RTT News, the senator claimed that the Republicans "drained the oxygen" from policy debate by replacing thoughtful engagement with hatred and resentment. Moreover, Sen. Reid added that Trump is the punishment the Republican Party deserves for rejecting every proposal made by President Barack Obama.
"Giving Trump a slap on the wrist each time he says something repugnant, but always committing to support him at the end of the day," Senator Reid told the crowd at the Center for American Progress.
Vox News reported that he blamed Kentucky senator for creating the "wasteland" in which Donald Trump's xenophobia could develop in the conservative movement. He also challenged House Speaker Paul Ryan and McConnell to disavow Trump, accusing them or trying to have it both ways by criticizing Trump's most outrageous statements while pledging support to whoever is the Republican's eventual candidate.
Sen. Reid also criticized Trump's sexist and disgusting statements. He said that Trump insulted immigrants, people with disabilities, and veterans. The veteran politician also extensively condemned Trump as a dangerous force in American politics who peddles racism, and as a conspiracy theorist.
He suggested that it's time for Speaker Ryan and Sen. McConnell to find the strength to say 'Enough, Trump, enough'. Neither McConnell nor Ryan responded to Reid's criticism, says The New York Times.
Senator Reid argued that the Republican's adamant opposition to all of President Obama's policies helped perpetuate a deception that the rank and file embraced - that whatever the president proposed, including a GOP idea, would be no help to the Republicans.
