It is interesting to see how people who once opposed or even detested Donald Trump become his sycophant followers.
In 2016, J.D. Vance described Trump as an “idiot” and said he was “reprehensible.” Privately, he described Trump as “America’s Hitler.” Now, he has become Trump’s vice president, his hit man and his biggest supporter. Some say the switch is simply Vance’s way of using Trump to advance his own career, which has apparently worked out well for him, considering he’s gone from running for Senate as a novice to assuming the second-highest ranking office in the executive branch.
Another person who has been transformed in the past decade is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, once a critic of Trump and now one of his lap dogs. Many senators who supported Rubio, who had a good reputation in the Senate, now regret approving his confirmation to secretary of state.
Rubio was an ardent supporter of Ukraine and said that the United States had to support Ukraine to stop Russian aggression. Rubio has now turned on Ukraine and suggested that the U.S. withdraw support from Ukraine. Rubio, the grandson of Cuban immigrants who came to this country as illegal aliens, was once an ardent supporter of people fleeing communist regimes and dictatorships. Rubio supported the immigration of Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Cubans. Now, he supports Trump’s policy that will cause Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Cubans to be deported.
Rubio’s about-face has not gone unnoticed by the Hispanic community. He is being criticized routinely on Hispanic radio, TV and in the press, including in the Miami Herald. He has been called a traitor and hypocrite for his 180-degree change in his policy positions, particularly on immigration.
Trump demands absolute loyalty from his followers, but the loyalty is a one-way street. Trump quickly turns on his subordinates when he believes they are no longer useful or if they show any opposition to his whimsical plans, replans and constant stream of changing consciousness.
The list of his former followers who have been tossed aside begins with former Vice President Mike Pence, who was as loyal as a lap dog but would not violate the Constitution. Pence was certifying the 2020 election when Trump sent his mob to lynch him at the Capitol.
Oh, and remember Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer and fixer, whom the president dumped and let be sent to jail? There’s also his former chief of staff, Gen. Jim Mattis, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor John Bolton, former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci — the list goes on and on.
Vance and Rubio have sold their souls and now blindly do Trump’s bidding, even if it is contrary to their beliefs. Like past Trump sycophants — who have destroyed their careers by forgetting their ethics, beliefs and ideals — Rubio has probably killed his future in politics as his positions on immigration and Ukraine are some that will not be popular with voters.
Once you forget who you are and drink the Trump Kool-aid, in the end, our president will inevitably toss you aside like garbage.
Reginald J. Clyne is a Miami trial lawyer who has worked in some of the largest law firms in the United States and been in practice since 1987, trying cases in both state and federal courts. He has lived in Africa, Brazil, Honduras and Nicaragua.
(Reginald Clyne, Esq.)