MT congressional delegation's blind loyalty

This week, President Donald Trump caved and hit the pause button on tariffs against every country except China. This should come as no surprise after a week of global recession fears, paralyzed international trade, pressure from business leaders, and extreme volatility in our markets. Also unsurprising? Montana’s all-Republican congressional delegation’s blind loyalty to Trump, his disastrous tariff war, and the administration’s willingness to gamble with peoples’ livelihoods and life savings in the name of MAGA and a red trucker hat.

Justin Ailport Sure, the tariffs are paused (again) for now. But we can’t lose sight of the destruction the administration has caused so far, and how Montana’s congressional delegation has signaled in the last week that they don’t care about the livelihood of their constituents, rather their own political interest and staying in lockstep with whatever Trump is spouting on social media that day. I will give some examples.

First, there’s Sen. Steve Daines, who, in his usual two-faced manner, was telling farmers and ranchers he was deeply concerned about the tariffs. Later, he told members of the Senate Finance Committee he thinks “we're on a really good path” and praised Trump and his tariff war.

So what is it, Sen. Daines? Do you support Trump’s tariff war or Montana farmers and ranchers? It can’t be both. Congressman Ryan Zinke, on the other hand, took a more brazen approach, ignorantly doubling down on the typical MAGA talking points in recent interviews with the media.

Prior to “Liberation Day” (aka the day our retirement accounts went down the toilet), Zinke acknowledged on live television that the tariffs would disproportionately hurt Montanans more than other states. Then, he claimed they would be “short-term” and “purposeful” tariffs. Does “short-term” and “purposful” mean creating chaos and uncertainty in the markets for the foreseeable future? If so, bravo! Well done! Finally, there’s Sen.

Sheehy, who went on live TV last week to praise Trump’s tariffs and remind Montanans, “Absolutely there’s [sic] going to be short-term pain” associated with the tariffs...

indefinitely! Nothing like having millionaires tell you to buck up while your life savings are disappearing before your eyes! Trump and his Republican enablers promised lower prices on day one. Instead, we’re already seeing higher costs for consumers, uncertainty and fear for U.S.

manufacturers and farmers, and markets fraught with risk. Trump is already running around telling reporters everything is going according to plan and that this has been his plan all along. If that’s the case, let this sink in: President Trump willingly gambled with the livelihoods of the American people, and our Montana delegation stood behind him every step of the way.

In an era of new lows, Montana’s congressional delegation has officially reached the bottom..