Many politicians have publicly criticized Donald Trump for his actions, policies, and behavior, but when it came time to take meaningful action, most did nothing substantial to follow up on their complaints.
Whether out of political calculation, party loyalty, or fear of backlash, many seemed content to talk the talk without walking the walk.
Mitch McConnell
McConnell criticized Trump’s behavior after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, calling it a “disgrace.”
However, despite his vocal criticism, McConnell voted to acquit Trump in the impeachment trial, allowing him to remain a dominant figure in the Republican Party.
Liz Cheney
Cheney became one of the most prominent critics of Trump, particularly after Jan. 6.
Despite voting to impeach him, Cheney’s criticism failed to stop Trump’s influence in the GOP, and she was ultimately ousted from her leadership role in the House.
Mitt Romney
Romney, one of the few Republicans to vote to convict Trump during both impeachment trials, has frequently criticized Trump’s policies.
However, his criticisms rarely led to any major reforms within his own party, and he continues to serve as a key figure in the GOP.
Paul Ryan
Former Speaker Paul Ryan often expressed disdain for Trump’s rhetoric and leadership style but declined to take meaningful action against him.
Ryan resigned from his post and distanced himself from active politics rather than pursuing any real reforms or changes to counter Trump’s influence.
John Bolton
Bolton, Trump’s former National Security Advisor, repeatedly criticized Trump’s foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding North Korea and the Middle East.
Despite his harsh critiques in his book and public interviews, he did not take any direct action to influence policy while in office.
JD Vance
In 2020, Vance criticized Trump’s handling of the economy, stating that the president “thoroughly failed to deliver.”
But Vance later became a strong supporter of Trump, aligning himself with his policies without ever proposing significant changes to Trump’s approach.
Now he’s VP.
Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi voiced strong disapproval of Trump’s actions, especially during his first impeachment and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, her criticisms often lacked tangible consequences, as she focused on legislative action that ultimately did little to alter Trump’s trajectory in office.
Chuck Schumer
Schumer has been an outspoken critic of Trump, especially in regards to his handling of the pandemic and racial justice issues.
However, Schumer’s criticisms often felt more performative than substantive, as he did little to create a solid alternative vision for the nation.
Republican Governors Post-2020 Election
Many Republican governors criticized Trump’s false claims about election fraud following the 2020 election.
Despite their vocal concerns, they largely avoided taking any action to challenge the results or investigate the claims, opting instead for political calculations that would preserve party unity.
Democratic Leaders on Trade Policies
While many Democratic leaders criticized Trump’s trade war with China, they rarely took significant action to counteract the tariffs he imposed or proposed an alternative trade strategy.
Instead, they focused on less impactful policy disagreements and refrained from challenging the broader economic consequences.
