Opinion: Cowards like ‘moderate’ Sen. Susan Collins prove that the U.S. Senate is now Trump’s Duma

Author: John Casey

The idea of a “moderate Republican” in 2025 is a fantasy, a relic of political history that no longer exists. And nothing proves that point more than watching so-called moderate U.S. senators like Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy, to name a few groveling at the feet of Donald Trump as they rubber-stamp his disastrous Cabinet picks.

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These are the same senators who once had a fleeting moment of courage, voting to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial. But today they cower, terrified of his wrath, unwilling to risk a primary challenge or, worse, MAGA threats. America needs leaders, and instead we are stuck with cowards.

It’s no secret that Trump demands absolute fealty. His grip on the Republican Party is ironclad, and any GOP senator who dares step out of line risks political annihilation. The whispers in Washington suggest that these so-called moderates fear for their seats and, perhaps, their safety.

But if Democrats can stand up against Trumpism while facing an endless barrage of threats from MAGA extremists, why can’t Collins, Murkowski, or Cassidy? The answer is simple: They would rather capitulate than confront, choosing their own political survival over the survival of the nation.

This craven submission has been on full display with their support of Trump’s horrifying Cabinet nominees. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a conspiracy theorist with a track record of spreading anti-vaccine propaganda, leaving a dead bear in Central Park, and putting live animals in blenders, is now the head of Health and Human Services. And all that is just for starters.

Just a short time ago, Kennedy was considered a crazy whack job related to QAnon threads. But thanks to Collins, he’s going to be in charge of your health.

Let that sink in for a moment.

America finds itself teetering on a bird flu pandemic, a looming measles outbreak in Texas, and an out-of-control flu season. And guess who is in charge? If these or other health crises confront the U.S., we will know exactly whom to blame for the ensuing catastrophe — Sen. Susan Collins and her spineless colleagues, who knew better but lacked the courage to act. And in case you didn’t know, Cassidy is a doctor. What a quack!

And then there’s Tulsi Gabbard, a perennial opportunist with disturbing ties to authoritarian regimes. She is now in a position that will shape America’s defense and foreign policy. And with the vote to confirm the horrid Kash Patel as FBI director, chances are Collins, Murkowski, and Cassidy will rubber-stamp this abominable choice.

These are not public servants. They are sycophants, picked for their loyalty to Trump rather than their ability to serve the country. And once again, Collins and craven company oblige, nodding along as our national security is placed in the hands of the incompetent.

Of all the so-called moderates, Collins is particularly loathsome. This is the same senator who assured Americans that Brett Kavanaugh wouldn’t overturn Roe v. Wade. How ignorant can one be? He made Collins look like a fool. And now Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Gabbard, and Kennedy will make her look like one too.

Her feigned shock at the decision rang hollow because everyone knew she had been duped. Now she is poised to make the same mistake again, naively believing that Trump’s picks won’t wreak havoc on the country’s health and safety. The same willful blindness, the same empty rationalizations, the same devastating consequences.

Authoritarian leaders thrive when their populace is scared and sick. History has proved this repeatedly. Collins and her comrades either ignored it, or somehow think they’re now part of the State Duma that used to be the U.S. Congress.

Collins proved she didn’t give a rat’s ass about women’s health, and now she has proved she couldn’t give a damn about the health of American democracy and its people. If Trump is the king of selfishness, surely Collins is its queen.

The truth is, Collins and her ilk have made their choice. They have decided that their political careers matter more than their principles, more than their country. They have sold out, proving once and for all that there is no such thing as moderate Republicans, only Republicans too cowardly to admit they belong to Trump.

And if America pays the price for their cowardice, if our national security crumbles or public health collapses, we will know exactly who to blame. Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
Original Article on The Advocate
Author: John Casey