Although Kellyanne Conway is a known flunkie for Donald Trump, her husband, George Conway has become a fierce and surprisingly public critic of “The Donald.” In fact, Mr. Conway and 13 other self-described conservative lawyers have come together to form the group ‘Checks and Balances,’ which says it intends to stop the lies and hold Trump accountable for his reckless dismantling of democracy.
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According to their mission statement, the ‘Checks and Balances’ members announced they believe in the power of truth, the independence of the criminal justice system, and the necessity of civil discourse. The group says they will provide a voice to speak out in favor of principles that are under attack by Trump, and to serve as a support network for those who wish to go against “The Donald” but may be too afraid to do so alone.
“We seek to provide a voice and a network for like-minded attorneys to discuss these ideas, and we hope that they will join with us to stand up for these principles,” the mission statement said.
In addition to Conway, members of the group include former George W. Bush Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, former State Department legal adviser John Bellinger, former acting Attorney General Peter Keisler, as well as several members of the Federalist Society — all considered significant individuals in legal conservative circles.
Carrie Cordero, a national security lawyer and group member, said the plan is to “communicate to the group of conservative lawyers, including the next generation of conservative lawyers, that they can support the administration’s judicial nominees, they can be in favor of some of the policies, but that doesn’t mean they have to go along with the attacks (or) disregard for the rule of law (and) attacks on the justice system.”
There are “a number of things that the President has done that he, in particular, has invigorated this group to exist,” Cordero added. “The group felt it was time, in a more forceful and organized way, that conservative lawyers who stand for the rule of law, and believe in an independent Justice Department speak out more loudly,” she added.
“The issue we’re embedded in — and the glue that holds us together — is a country founded on a Constitution, on the rule of law, and we expect political figures on both sides of the aisle to respect those values,” former Secretary Ridge said.
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As for George Conway, he was a little less diplomatic in his approach and choice of words.
Despite his marriage to one of Trump’s closest aides, Conway (a Washington lawyer who declined multiple Justice Department posts early in Trump’s tenure), has emerged as a fervent and outspoken critic of “The Donald.” He initially began using his Twitter account to retweet articles that were unflattering toward Trump and that The White House would have rather kept quiet. He has since penned several op-eds openly criticizing Trump’s policies and decisions. More specifically, Conway recently called Trump’s appointment of acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and the proposal to end birthright citizenship “unconstitutional.”
“The administration is like a shitshow in a dumpster fire, and I’m like, I don’t want to do that,” Conway said in response to the job offers he turned down from Trump. “If I get this door prize, I’m going to be in the middle of a department (Trump) is at war with.”
Conway added that his open hostility toward Donald Trump and his administration balances out his wife’s dislike of his vocal opposition to the White House.
“I don’t think she likes it,” he said. “But I’ve told her, I don’t like the administration, so it’s even.”
So, kudos to George Conway for having the balls to found ‘Checks and Balances’ while married to the woman who helped Trump get to The White House. Although there is no word on what this has done to his marriage, there is a late word from Trump, who is calling Conway’s criticisms an attempt to get “publicity for himself.”
Oh, Donald — how predictable!
“The administration is like a shitshow in a dumpster fire,…” – George Conway
Yep. That’s exactly what it is. And Kellyanne’s husband certainly sounds like he cannot stomach Trump and is prepared to fight him any way that he can. That said.
I think it rather clever of Kellyanne trying to have it both ways. She went from being a very outspoken critic of Trump to jumping on Trump’s bandwagon as soon as an offer was made to bring her into his administration. So she gets PAID some $erious money working for Trump while her husband keeps up the public opposition to Trump.
Both Kellyanne and her husband know this “shitshow in a dumpster fire” can’t last forever. When it finally flames out, Kellyanne is hoping that – by playing both side – the *Trump stench* won’t stick to her the way is most assuredly will to others.
I think she’s playing herself. But time will tell.
Trump is acting this is no big deal in public. But I bet he is giving Kellyanne hell over this in private. That is probably not a good household at home. Finally a Repub that is not going to act like Trump is just normal. I love it.