MSNBC host Joe Scarborough led a fiery discussion about the fate of the GOP on Tuesday, accusing his former party of politicizing the justice department and distracting the public from the Russia investigation into election meddling.
Scarborough specifically called out House Speaker Paul Ryan and congressmen Devin Nunes and Mark Meadows. The television host, who served in the House from 1995 to 2001, said Ryan needs to "stand up" and take on Nunes and Meadows, who regularly attempt to discredit Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in media appearances and statements.
"We're just asking Paul Ryan to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey, Devin...you're my buddy, you've been loyal to me, I understand, but you've stepped over the line here," Scarborough said on Morning Joe. "Mark Meadows, you've stepped over the line. You want to take me on, you want to divide our party before I leave? We can do that, but you're going to lose. You'll have the votes in the short run, but you're going to destroy the Republican Party.'"
Scarborough said Ryan, who is retiring, should use his last days to put rhetoric aside to honor the country. Loyalty to the president shouldn't trump loyalty to the country, he suggested.
"Trump appointed these intel chiefs, who all said the Russians have attacked our democracy," he said, incredulously. "They are still trying to attack our democracy, and the Republican party and their president doesn't give a damn."
On Twitter, he also accused Trump and Nunes of pushing the "most idiotic" conspiracy theories about the Obama administration and FISA abuses.
The most obvious answer to the tidal wave of idiotic conspiracy theories being pushed by Trump and Nunes: If the Deep State’s plan to elect Hillary was to
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 22, 2018
1/ Cover up ongoing Trump’s investigation
2/ Reopen HRC’s inquiry 10 days out...
then they’re really bad at this stuff. https://t.co/y4LhEDYWfq
Once a proud member of the Republican party, Scarborough has become one of its most ardent critics under the Trump administration. Although it may seem like a distant memory now, the former congressman once shared a friendly relationship and attended parties together. That ended after Scarborough openly started criticizing Trump on air.
In return, Trump branded the host "Low Ratings Joe" and pushed for NBC executives to fire him. In a viral tweet, the president floated the unfounded claim that Scarborough had something to do with his Florida intern's 2001 death.
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