Republicans Fear Protests, George Conway Says

Thousands Protest Nationally, Sparking GOP Fears

Across the country, tens of thousands of Americans have taken to the streets in “No Kings” protests. These demonstrations show deep concern over President Trump’s handling of the economy, his immigration policies, and the war in Iran. The movement’s core message is that power in America should be checked, not crowned. Organizers of the New York rally reported at least 350,000 people attended their event alone.

Administration Responds with Dismissal

The Trump administration’s reaction to these widespread protests has largely been to ignore them or mock them through social media. This approach, characterized by memes and online trolling, dismisses the citizens’ concerns. Andrea Flores, an organizer present at the protests, noted the administration’s “cruelty both online and in real life.” She questioned how this negligence would impact the administration’s standing.

Approval Ratings Dip as Protests Grow

George Conway suggested that the administration’s dismissal of protests is already reflected in falling approval ratings. He pointed out that President Trump’s approval is at a historic low, and Republican politicians are beginning to suffer alongside him. However, Conway believes the administration is responding to protesters, just not the large, organized groups. Instead, he argues, they are attempting to prosecute them, which he sees as a serious attack on the First Amendment.

Attacks on First Amendment Rights

Conway highlighted a pattern of the administration targeting various forms of protest and dissent. He mentioned efforts to prosecute participants of a church protest in Minneapolis and anti-immigration enforcement protesters in California. The administration is also reportedly going after non-profit organizations. “Their strategy is quieter day by day going after the First Amendment,” Conway stated. He found it encouraging that many Americans, even if unaware of these broader attacks, are still showing up to protest. This suggests the administration’s intimidation tactics are not yet keeping people silent.

Republican Politicians “Sweating Bullets”

When asked what Republican politicians, other than President Trump, might be thinking as they witness these large protests, Conway offered a stark assessment: “I think they’re sweating bullets.” He believes they are deeply worried, citing a report where Senator Ted Cruz allegedly expressed concern to Trump that the president was leading Republicans towards a disastrous outcome in the fall elections. Trump’s reported response was dismissive. Conway noted that Republicans, despite being in the majority, feel powerless to act because Trump has “no plan for anything.” He added that recent debacles, like those at TSA checkpoints, are also hurting Republicans.

GOP Attempts to Appear Active

Conway pointed to recent Senate actions, such as passing a bill to fund the TSA and voting for a housing bill, as attempts by Republicans to appear as though they are “doing something for the people.” However, he feels that President Trump prevents them from taking meaningful action. “They’re not sufficiently scared to actually stand up to Trump,” he stated, though he believes “cracks” may eventually appear.

Protest Energy and Midterm Elections

The conversation then shifted to how Democrats can channel the energy seen in the protests into success in the midterm elections. This is seen as a challenge, as Democrats are also debating how to broaden their appeal. Flores expressed pride in Democrats blocking funding for ICE and CBP, but questioned if Republicans are truly nervous. She noted that despite issues like TSA funding not being resolved, Republicans are still pushing a “mass deportation agenda.” Flores feels they are not as nervous as they should be, suggesting they would cut a deal if not for their focus on immigration.

Immigration Policies Remain a Flashpoint

Flores believes Republicans are nervous about the unpopularity of their immigration agenda but are afraid to oppose President Trump directly. Conway, however, sees the administration as “full steam ahead” on immigration. He cited Trump’s intention to take the case to the Supreme Court to end birthright citizenship and efforts to revoke the status of hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants. Conway warned that these actions would be “very disruptive” and that Democrats are not preventing them.

CPAC Crowd Shows Divisions

A clip from CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) was played, showing a confusing audience reaction to a question about impeachment hearings. Flores interpreted this moment as an indictment of either the MAGA base or the administration itself. If the audience didn’t understand the question, it showed a lack of awareness among attendees. If they understood and still didn’t want impeachment hearings, it presented a significant problem for the administration. The fact that Trump and his sons did not attend CPAC this year was also noted as significant.

Looking Ahead

As protests continue and political divisions deepen, the upcoming midterm elections will be a critical test. The administration’s strategy of dismissing dissent while simultaneously pursuing aggressive policies, particularly on immigration, remains a key focus. The ability of Democrats to harness public frustration and translate it into electoral success, while navigating their own internal debates, will be closely watched. The coming months will likely see further clashes over fundamental rights and the direction of the country.

Source: George Conway: Republicans are “SWEATING BULLETS” over No Kings protests (YouTube)