Senator Jeff Flake earned the media spotlight last week after delivering a scathing speech against President Donald Trump. He also announced his decision not to seek re-election after his term.
In his speech, Flake highlighted the destructiveness of the U.S. politics, indecency of discourse, and coarseness of its leadership. He said the American democracy is now defined by its leaders’ political discord and dysfunction.
The senator also emphasized that it is his “obligation” to be critical of Trump as a “matter of duty and conscience.” Flake said he does not want to be complicit.
In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Flake said his decision was driven by his disgust with Trump’s behavior.
He said, “I couldn’t sleep at night having to embrace the president or condoning his behavior or being okay with some of his positions. I just couldn’t do it — it was never in the cards.”
Flake condemned Trump/GOP in his book
The Arizona senator is among the Republicans who have been vocal in criticizing Trump. Flake refused to endorse the real estate mogul during his presidential campaign. He also wrote a book entitled “Conscience of a Conservative” criticized not just Trump but also some Republicans. He condemned those Republicans turning a blind eye and making a “Faustian bargain” when Trump forsake GOP’s core conservative principles.
