Ex-GOP lawmaker: Republic might be ‘better off’ if Dems take House in 2018

Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) said he thinks the United States might be better off if Democrats take the House in 2018.

“I, personally, as a Republican, in the past few weeks have wondered, ‘Is the republic safer if Democrats take over the House in 2018?’ ” he said during an interview on MSNBC late Monday.

Jolly said he raised that issue with a leading Republican last week in Washington, D.C. 

“And the remarkable thing is he had been thinking exactly the same thing,” Jolly said.

{mosads}”This is a president that needs a greater check on his power than Republicans in Congress have offered.”

Jolly, who represented Florida’s 13th District from 2014 to 2017, was pressed on whether other Republicans agree that Democrats should be in control in Congress.

“There is no discernible Republican ideological agenda that is worth fighting for right now,” Jolly said.

“But we do know that we have a president who very well might put this nation at risk, and this Republican Congress has done nothing to check his power. Democrats could [be a check], and we might be better off as a republic if they take the House in 2018.”

His comments came hours after President Trump during a press conference with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) insisted the two have a good relationship, despite Trump’s attacks against McConnell.

McConnell said Monday he and Trump have the same agenda and have been “friends and acquaintances for a long time.”

Trump and Republicans are now pushing to get tax reform done after failing to repeal and replace ObamaCare, a key agenda item for the party.

Some Republicans have spoken out against some of Trump’s actions in the past. 

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) warned earlier this month that Trump’s actions could put the country on the path to World War III.