In a stunning display of Republican infighting, Maryland's House of Delegates voted Friday to consider expelling GOP Del. Christopher Bouchat – with the resolution ironically introduced by fellow Republican Del. Lauren Arikan. The move exposes deep fractures within the state's already outnumbered GOP caucus.
Bouchat has been accused of repeatedly skipping floor votes and committee meetings, prompting his own party colleagues to move against him. But the circumstances surrounding this political drama reveal a troubling pattern of establishment Republicans eating their own instead of focusing on the real enemy – radical Democrats who control Maryland with an iron fist.
According to reports, Bouchat attempted to donate his salary to charity and even left blank $1,000 checks on three lawmakers' desks as apparent compensation for his absences. As one social media user noted, "Bouchat offered to donate his salary to charities of their choosing. Eventually, Bouchat left blank $1,000 checks on the three lawmakers' desks."
"We have a lot of folks on the floor today who are fighting for their lives. They are sick. They may have cancer," Arikan said defending her measure to expel Bouchat.
While Arikan's concerns about attendance may be valid, one has to wonder: where is this same energy when it comes to fighting the Democrats who are destroying Maryland families with high taxes, soft-on-crime policies, and woke indoctrination in schools?
The resolution will likely die in the House Rules Committee, but the damage to Republican unity is already done. Meanwhile, across the country, Democrats are facing their own ethics scandals, including Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick who was found guilty of 25 charges by a House Ethics Committee panel.
The Bottom Line: Maryland Republicans should be laser-focused on advancing President Trump's America First agenda and holding Democrats accountable for their failures. Instead, they're engaging in circular firing squads that only benefit their political opponents.
Patriots deserve better from their elected representatives – both in showing up for work AND in picking the right battles.