Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley stunned Washington D.C. on Friday after she issued a surprise statement in which she seemingly broke from former President Donald Trump, joining Democrats in accusing the president of being responsible for the tragic events that took place at the January 6 Capitol riots.
According to The Hill, Haley made a series of remarks during an interview with Politico in which she clearly condemned Trump with remarks that suggest she’s distancing herself from the Trump-side of the Republican party.
“We need to acknowledge he let us down,” Haley said. “He went down a path he shouldn’t have, and we shouldn’t have followed him, and we shouldn’t have listened to him. And we can’t let that ever happen again.”
Before Friday, Haley was considered a somewhat strong ally of the former president, even during other controversial times in his presidency.
Haley went on to tell Politico that she hasn’t had any contact, whatsoever, with Mr. Trump since January 6, seeming to point to Trump’s apparent betrayal of former Vice President Mike Pence as the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
“When I tell you I’m angry, it’s an understatement,” Haley told Politico. “I am so disappointed in the fact that [despite] the loyalty and friendship he had with Mike Pence, that he would do that to him. Like, I’m disgusted by it.”
Haley, like many other Republicans, issued similar, but somewhat calmer remarks regarding the Capitol riots. At the time, it was assumed that she was simply reacting like other Trump supporters were forced to in the wake of a potentially politically perilous time.
“And it wasn’t just his words,” Haley said a few days after the riots. “His actions since Election Day will be judged harshly by history.”
Of course, Haley’s latest condemnation truly sounds like scripted outrage in order to continue her foundation-laying for a possible run at the presidency in 2024. Haley is considered one of the top contenders for the job, especially if Trump decides not to run again.
There’s a growing movement in the Republican party that clearly appears to be the establishment side separating from the Trump-centric side — a split that could have devastating effects on the GOP’s attempt to take the House back in the 2022 midterms.
Making matters worse, rumors also emerged this week that a large group of powerful, establishment Republicans are considering forming a third political party, apparently with the hopes of a clean break from those in the party who still support the former president and his policies.
ARTICLE SOURCE : thefederalistpapers.org
