Conservatives and Republicans Are Organizing against Trumpism

           The assault on liberty, the rule of law, equality, the free market and even the truth by Trumpism (the populism associated with Donald J. Trump of protectionism, nativism and isolationism laced with authoritarianism), has inspired many conservative and Republican Americans to organize across the Union over the last year to defend these ideals.

            Several organizations have been established since Trump’s inauguration as President either by conservatives and Republicans that are conservative in ideology or openly Republican or that are nonpartisan and include conservatives and Republicans because they are organized around shared principles or goals. 

These new organizations are in addition to those that are more centrist ideologically which include current or former prominent conservative Republicans who are joining with others across America to liberalize ballot access for non-major-party candidates, either by forming organizations to support such candidates or a centrist political party.  Note: “centrist” may not necessarily mean moderate, but adhering to views of the center-left and center-right part of the spectrum, as opposed to the European-style far-right of Trumpism and white nationalism.  The goal of the conservatives and Republicans involved in these organizations is to challenge Trumpist Republican nominees for office without necessarily advantaging the Democratic Party and the far-left. 

These new organizations are also in addition to various federalist organizations devoted to promoting federalism or which are federalist political parties, either already organized as such or in the process of organizing to become a political party.  The danger of the centralization of power is revealing how necessary the check of the States versus the federal government is in the federal American republic.

The new organizations include nonpartisan organizations which include prominent conservative and Republican Americans, among others, but are focused on particular shared goals that are of interest to conservatives.  One example is The Committee to Investigate Russia (https://investigaterussia.org/).  It is disseminating information about how ex-Soviet intelligence officer Vladimir Putin’s Russian Federation has been interfering in American elections, such as on behalf of Trump, as well as elections in allied states, and the various congressional and criminal investigations in to the Russian interference.  Another example is the Renew Democracy Initiative (https://www.renew-democracy.org/), which is a think tank devoted to defending democratic freedom and prosperity.  It also includes several prominent international conservatives.

There are also nonpartisan organizations of conservatives that are based upon a center-right ideology, but are appeal to a broad spectrum of beliefs because of their commitment to shared principles.  A notable example is Stand Up Republic (https://standuprepublic.com/), which is defending the American republic by promoting liberty, equality and truth.  Stand Up Republic is advocating for thorough investigations of Russian Federation interference in the U.S. presidential election and its continued interference in American political discourse, as well as for increasing and strengthening economic sanctions against Putin’s authoritarian, oligarchical regime.  The organization has also effectively opposed Trumpist candidates.  Stand Up Republic is also organizing in States, including in Pennsylvania.  It has a sister organization, Stand Up Ideas (https://standupideas.com/), which is focused on strengthen Americans’ commitment to democratic norms and ideals through education and leadership development.

Another set of organizations are those that are openly Republican.  The most noteworthy example is Republicans for the Rule of Law (http://www.ruleoflawrepublicans.com/), which is defending the Special Counsel who is investigating and prosecuting the Russian interference on behalf of Trump in the American presidential election and any conspiracy by Trump and his campaign with the Russians.  There are even state Republican organizations that are openly non-Trumpist, such as New Way California.  The conservative and moderate members of such organizations intend to avoid conceding the Republican Party to Trumpists by supporting authentic Republican ideals and center-right candidates who hold to them.

            Both Republicans for the Rule of Law and Stand Up Republic have been particularly effective thus far in defending the Special Counsel.  The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved bipartisan legislation to protect the Special Counsel from unjust firing and other Republican members of Congress have at least warned Trump against taking such action.  The efforts of both organizations to defend the Special Counsel, a combat-wounded veteran Republican with a long, distinguished record of public service and a sterling reputation, have helped somewhat to counteract Trump’s efforts to discredit the investigation through the discrediting the Special Counsel and the prosecutors and investigators employed by him.  

Besides the Republican or federalist organizations, the other organizations are examples of the movement of conservatives to work together with non-conservatives to defend shared principles, despite profound differences in ideology and on policies.  This common commitment demonstrates not that principles like the political independence of law enforcement are liberal, but that they are universal.  Expressing support for certain basic principles of republican government thus does not give any political advantage to liberals, as it validates the parts of conservatism that are held in common with others as principled and reasonable, as well as validates those conservatives who reasonably defend and advance such principles, in contrast to those who have revealed themselves in the age of Trump to have been without principle or abandoned them for political expedience.  

The challenge caused by Trumpism to conservatives and Republicans is encouraging many of them to learn more about the foundations of the American Republic, the Constitution, the law and politics and to hold fast to the principles of patriotism, liberty and representative government.  The significant remnants of the center-right who are organizing in whatever fashion they prefer to defend these principles against Trumpism are bringing honor to the conservative movement and inspire hope that it will rebound from its present state and emerge more principled and respectable.