GOP senator says he ‘regularly’ considers leaving Republican Party

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) acknowledged on Twitter Saturday morning that he “regularly” considers leaving the Republican Party.

Sasse responded to a Twitter user who said they switched from being a member of the Democratic Party to being a “no-party” voter and asked the GOP senator if he ever considered following suit.

{mosads}“Yep — regularly consider it (except the ‘from Dem’ part)” Sasse wrote. Sasse frequently criticizes his own party and President Trump.

yep — regularly consider it
(except the “from Dem” part) https://t.co/ZZCQKOPhL9

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) September 8, 2018

Social media users quickly responded, arguing that Trump has pushed lifelong Republicans from the party.

“He is accelerating the trend, obviously,” Sasse said to the claim. “But it didn’t start two years ago. (Eg, you should check out the polling on the giant share of Democrats that believed George W. Bush knowingly concealed the 9/11 plot against America.)”

He is accelerating the trend, obviously. But it didn’t start two years ago. (Eg, you should check out the polling on the giant share of Democrats that believed George W. Bush knowingly concealed the 9/11 plot against America.) https://t.co/tJPswgbO8d

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) September 8, 2018

Multiple local and national Republicans have resigned from the party over the last year, many citing Trump or the party’s response to the presidency. They include local GOP officials in Oregon, California and Connecticut.

Former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in May that the Republican Party has been completely taken over by Trump.

“There is no Republican Party. There’s a Trump party. The Republican Party is kinda taking a nap somewhere,” Boehner said.

Former FBI Director James Comey left the party and said the GOP left him and others behind.

“I just think they’ve lost their way and I can’t be associated with it,” Comey said.

He said the party’s views now entirely reflect those of Trump’s.

“It doesn’t reflect values at all. It’s transactional, it’s ego-driven, it’s in service to his ego,” Comey said.

Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, a former aide to the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) renounced the party in June and announced he will begin voting for Democrats.