Posted Jan 13, 2021 by Michael L. Brown

We’ve heard about the “Never Trumpers” for years, referring to conservative Republicans who, in good conscience, could not vote for Trump. Now, it seems, there’s a group of people on the exact opposite side that we could call “Forever Trumpers.” They feel that he alone can lead the nation (or, at least, the Republican Party) in the right direction. They will be loyal to him above all. What should we think of this?

When it comes to the Never Trumpers, I recall tweeting the #NeverTrump hashtag one time during the 2016 primaries when I was at the height of my anti-Trump sentiments. But I knew immediately it was a mistake, and, speaking for myself alone, it was an immature, momentary reaction. Just because I opposed him in the primaries didn’t mean I couldn’t vote for him in a general election.

On the other hand, I have always respected many of those in the Never Trump camp, like David French, understanding the conflict they had with a vote for Trump. My issue was with Christian conservatives who, rather than vote for Trump, voted for Hillary or Biden. That, to me, was indefensible. (Again, this is just my opinion. We each answer to God.)

These Never Trumpers must be feeling quite vindicated today, as some of their warnings and concerns have come to fruition.

Yet there were good reasons that many of us voted for Trump, and we need not apologize for our vote. When viewed as a giant wedge in the door to impede the agenda of the radical left, not to mention to help thwart the designs of countries like China and Iran, Trump got our vote hands down.

Not only so, but he steadfastly kept the promises he made to us, despite unrelenting opposition. And as glaring as his faults were, he was lied about and demonized by the media and the left by the hour, and his presidency was resisted from every angle.

The Forever Trumpers are deeply grateful to Trump for the good that he did, believing that, in the long term, it will outweigh the damage he caused. And just as he fought for the rights of the unborn and stood for the freedoms of Christians, the Forever Trumpers want to fight for him, not just today, but in the years ahead. Plus, they reason, the political system is still too corrupt. Only an outside agitator can get the job done.

To the Never Trumpers, I say this: If you genuinely love America and you are people of real character, now is not the time to gloat or say, “I told you so.” You should be grieving that the nation is in so much pain and you should be doing your best to heal the wounds rather than pour salt into them. And if you feel your fellow conservatives erred in supporting Trump, then seek out healthy discussion and dialogue. Condescension is not called for.

To the Forever Trumpers, I say this: You cast your vote for him twice and you are standing with him now that he is being impeached for a second time. You see how the left finally has its moment and is trying pounce and destroy, so this is not the time for you to abandon Trump’s side. All that is understandable.

But either way, impeached or censured or not, he will be out office in one week. It’s time to move on. There’s no need for you to tether your future political hopes to him.

Writing for the staunchly conservative The Federalist, Nathan Blake put things bluntly: “It is time to move on.

“Donald Trump’s utility for conservatives is expiring along with his presidency. The Senate runoffs are done, the stunts objecting to the electoral results have come to nothing, and it is time for those who supported the soon-to-be former-President Trump for reasons of policy, not personality, to bid him farewell.”

He added, “A prudential deal to support Trump in exchange for results is not an oath to be Forever Trump. Indeed, wanting Trump to remain the face of the Republican franchise, or perhaps to pass the mantle down to his children is an awful idea.”

He’s absolutely right. Trump has done what he has done, the good with the bad. Conservatives should build on the good and move on from the bad – which also means there’s no need to be a Forever Trumper.

There’s also the practical side, namely, that Trump turns 75 in June, and even with all his vigor and energy, it doesn’t make much sense o look forward to a 78-year-old waging a massive battle for the presidency in 2024. Surely there are other, strong candidates who will be available. (If you deny this, then you’d be one of the people I’d caution about putting too much in a man, especially this man.)

As for Donald Trump, if he could learn to be more measured in his speech and resist his impulse to demonize all opposition, including those within in his own party, he could be an effective voice for the larger conservative cause in many ways. And perhaps, having been banned by Big Tech, he could push back against Big Tech censorship as a businessman, helping build new platforms and cut into these dangerous monopolies.

But whatever his own future holds, once January 20th comes, it is time to move on. We voted in 2016 and 2020. We held to our strong convictions and views. Now, let’s learn what we can from our association with Donald Trump, for better or for worse, and let’s work towards a better future for our country.

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Comments

OT posted a comment · Jan 15, 2021
Yea!
Swkh310 posted a comment · Jan 14, 2021
“...deeply grateful to Trump for the good that he did...” Kinda like non repentant Germans who were grateful to Hitler for punctual train service?
OT posted a comment · Jan 14, 2021
There are plenty of Conservative republicans that could fill the seat . remember Trump getting the U.S. presidency was either a course correction by God! or a result of eight years of Obama or the strong aversion (a strong dislike or disinclination) to the possibility of Hillary Clinton presidency! I would vote for Nikki Haley U.N. ambassador, Former Governor of South Carolina anyone who could hold their own and make the democrat leadership look like babbling baboons, walking contradictions they are ! Come Lord Jesus Come America needs you now!
Jack Brooks posted a comment · Jan 14, 2021
Good morning. Sorry to hear about all the abuse you've been getting. I feel all this has been confusing because there are distinctions between the agenda, the accomplishments, and the man. I support a conservative agenda. I think this administration accomplished many good things. However, I can't stand the man. I developed a low opinion of him, as I was growing up across the river from NYC and watching his antics on the TV news. I said five years ago to a member of my church that Trump was a well-known liar and a business-crook. I attribute the administration's successes to the intelligence and hard work of thousands of good, dedicated people working behind the scenes -- people who never got the applause they deserve. This administration often succeeded in spite of its own presiding officer. What we wish we had was a brilliant agenda, backed by a sound philosophy, and led by an honest, virtuous, and professional executive, and carried out by honest, skillful civil servants. Well, we got (for the most part) the agenda, philosophy, and the skillful civil servants, but not the honest, virtuous, and professional execuitive..
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RAS posted a comment · Jan 13, 2021
Truth be told, don't imagine the Republican party coming back unless something really really big happens, and not in a good way. We had Trump because the party won't tolerate a Godly man, even if you can find one; neither party will. That's where the problem is. The state of America is such that a Godly man is not desired by either party, other than by a few; too few. The problem is not at the top, it is the spiritual state of the nation. We live in a post Christian nation where even many of those who claim to be believers are not followers. It would take generations of teaching and preaching to restore America, even if you could. We don't have that time. Now the left has almost virtual control, they will not allow it to happen. Persecution, purges, and oppression is coming. Nothing short of a supernatural miracle, or a horrible catastrophe will turn America from the direction it is heading. The bible has plenty of examples of what happened to people and nations who forgot God. We're not fixing this nation without God, and too many Americans want nothing to do with God. Unless somehow that changes, our nation is finished as a shinning city on a hill. But who knows? maybe Joe will fix the immigration problem by making America so bad people flood out to escape to other countries and emigrants go back home.
czarpaul posted a comment · Jan 13, 2021
Many of us will support a more godly man for the face of the party. Who???? Who will take up the MAGA mantle and fight for till forgotten men and women, and children, and do so in a godly way??? With as much support as he still has pushing him out might be wise. Work with him and get him to work with a godly man, or woman, as his successor.