Deep in the Republican Brain: The Politics of Fear

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Frequently in conversation friends will ask – sometimes wondering, sometimes angry – “Why won’t any of them [meaning Republicans in House and Senate] step up?” Meaning vote on principle, or follow their better angels, and vote against Trump.

You’ve probably had friends ask that question, maybe pondered it yourself. The answer? Well, sure, they’re worried about some Trump-backed MAGA-spouting candidate – likely more MAGA than they are – taking them on in the primary next time out. But hey, they’ve won their races before, maybe many times. They know their state, their district. They know where the money is. That can’t be all of it. Threat of a primary challenger – even one backed by Trump – can’t so universally scare Republican legislators into silence, can it?

Well, that’s not all of it. A primary challenger is not their only fear. That’s probably the least of what scares them. After all, they’re right when they think as experienced pols they know how to approach and win voters. What they really fear is MAGA trolls on social media: the attacks and threats – even of death – to them and their families that arise like sewer gas when some word, however oblique, comes from Trump or someone MAGAs see as one of his on-line Trump whisperers: J.D. Vance, anti-immigrant in chief Stephen Miller, Breitbart web pages, Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, weird Laura Loomer, the local party chair, and anybody else seeking Trump’s favor. There are a lot of them to choose from.

For a Republican Congress member or Senator, the effect is paralyzing. It’s fear, fear that goes far beyond just worries about losing an election, fear of reputation destroyed, fear of lost – forever – allies and friends, fear of lies wrongly asserting criminal acts (mortgage fraud, anyone?). Above all, fear of personal harm, fear of injury or death for oneself and family. Fear is powerful.

https://www.postalley.org/2025/09/12/deep-in-the-republican-brain-the-politics-of-fear/