Gag Order

 I think we’ve long passed the point where you need a program to figure out the various levels of deep irresponsibility of the Republican Party  At this point, you need a tour guide and perhaps also a Sherpa.  And while this particular level is almost comical on the surface (almost…), it speaks loudly to who the Republican Party has become.  Yes, it’s just two examples – but it’s just two examples on the same day of something we’ve seen repeatedly in the GOP, starting with the Big Giant Head – who even makes a guest appearance here.

Basically, I saw two news stories yesterday that were so similar – and weird – that I thought they were the same.  Even after I re-read both, I still wasn’t convinced.  Though, to be clear, they are different.

But the stories are about two Republicans running for Congress – both endorsed by Trump – who have been accused by their female partner of sexual abuse and have gone to court to get restraining orders for the women to not talk publicly about the abuse.

You can understand my confusion.  And abhorrence.  And why it speaks to much to today’s Republican Party – especially with them both endorsed by Trump, the man with 16 current charges of sexual abuse against him.

To separate the tales as best I can –

One story comes with the RawStory headline on Tuesday:  “GOP Senate candidate seeks gag order on wife from discussing protection-from-abuse orders.”  This concerns Sean Parnell, a former Army Ranger, who ran for Congress in 2018 but lost and is now trying to get the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, running in Pennsylvania for the open seat.  He has Trump’s endorsement because…of some reason, whatever.

Parnell is in the midst of a custody case and wants to ban not only his wife but also her attorney from talking publicly about past protection-from-abuse orders against him.  His reasons are to protect his three children from the media, saying that “I signed up to run for office. My kids did not.”

While thoughtful on the surface, one might think he should have perhaps considered this and what he was getting his children into when he decided to run – again.  And his argument might have more heartfelt meaning if, as his wife’s attorney said, he hadn’t sought permission in 2019 to use the children’s photos on social media – all the more notable since he had filed a motion at the time that reference a brand strategist’s advice that he include his children “in order to harness the potential of his customer base, secure new followers,” and improve sales of his books. And perhaps if his campaign website didn’t feature photos of him with his children, his plea to keep his children out of his campaign because they didn’t sign up to run for office might have actual substance.

But honestly, that’s a separate matter between him and his wife and the court.  I merely note a Republican running for Congress with Trump’s endorsement who is trying to get a gag order on his wife to keep her from talking about his protection-from-abuse order.

Sort of like with Max Miller.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer headline on Tuesday for him was – “Ex-Trump staffer Max Miller files defamation lawsuit against Stephanie Grisham over abuse allegations.”

In this case, Max Miller – who was an associate director of the Office of Personnel in the White House for Trump – is running for the House of Representatives from Ohio, and he’s gone to court to stop his longtime ex-girlfriend from saying he abused her.  He too has Trump’s endorsement, of course, because…of some reason, whatever, but apparently this all makes him Trump’s kind of guy..

Slightly different from Sean Parnell, yes, but you can understand my confusion.  Especially since I don’t understand exactly why he sued.

While Stephanie Grisham previously wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post and discussed her abusive relationship, she didn’t mention Max Miller by name – and she doesn’t reference his name in new book.  But Miller sued.  And the next day Grisham went on CNN do to an interview with Jake Tapper and did discuss his name.

So, this doesn’t seem like great strategy, getting someone who isn’t mentioning your name to mention it.  And the thing is, by suing, if this ever does go to court or there are depositions, then they will both be under oath to discuss it for the public record.  And also on the public record is that she wrote a note to Trump about the claimed-abuse when in office.

Which is what I mean about not quite understanding him suing.  Not that he shouldn’t sue if he believes he’s in the right.  But when you’re in a political race for Congress, it just seems a weird bit of timing – especially when there’s an email to Trump on the record, and he could even be called to testify.

But honestly, that’s a separate matter between him and his former girlfriend and the court.  I merely note a Republican running for Congress with Trump’s endorsement who is trying to get a gag order on his girlfriend to keep her from talking about her claims of abuse.

Sound familiar?  On the very same day!

And the point is that we know this isn’t just about this.  Only last week, former Trump staffer Corey Lewandowski was fired from his job with Team Trump for an accusation of sexual abuse from a Trump campaign donor – which came after earlier charges of abuse against him.  And charges by two ex-wives of Rob Porter, Trump’s White House Staff Secretary.

And – excuse the pun because it was not intended – the beat goes on.

But then, if a fish stinks from the head, there is Trump with 16 active allegations of sexual abuse against him, including one for rape.  And before even being elected, there was Trump on tape laughingly talking about grabbing women by the p*ssy because you could get away with it.

This is who Trump is.  This is who he surrounded himself with.  This is not about these two Republicans running for Congress with Trump’s endorsement who are going to court to stop their estranged wife and ex-girlfriend from talking about their being abused – both filing yesterday, which would be a total, absolutely-amazing coincidence if it didn't pretty much keep happening.  This is what the leadership of the Republican Party is, and we can say that because the rest of the elected Republican Party officials are pretty much silent about it.  No outrage – unless a donor complains.  Just look the other way and enable it all.

This is about the Republican Party and women. 

And we haven’t even gotten to Texas and Mississippi and getting rid of abortion laws. 

This is who the Republican Party is.  Because they keep enabling it all.  Over and over.

And just want to make you gag.