Lindsey Graham Decides That Trump’s Racism Bothers Him Again

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham appeared to have a modicum of integrity early on in his party’s presidential primary process, going so far as to call him a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” in December, before actually apologizing to Muslims for Trump’s remarks.

That was nice, even if it had absolutely no impact. But then, like every other “principled” Republican, he folded like a cheap suit. After an “enjoyable” phone conversation with Trump, he urged rich donors to unite behind the presumptive nominee, apparently going back on all his previous reservations.

Now? Per Graham, Trump’s racism is bad again! In an interview with The New York Times, Graham actually urged Republicans to take back their endorsements:

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, another former primary rival of Mr. Trump’s, urged Republicans who have backed Mr. Trump to rescind their endorsements, citing the remarks about Judge Curiel and Mr. Trump’s expression of doubt on Sunday that a Muslim judge could remain neutral in the same lawsuit, given Mr. Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim noncitizens entering the country.

“This is the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy,” Mr. Graham said. “If anybody was looking for an off-ramp, this is probably it,” he added. “There’ll come a time when the love of country will trump hatred of Hillary.”

Whether this will give other Republicans the courage to walk the same path, or whether it’s just the latest stop on Graham’s wild, flip-floppy ride, is unclear—stay tuned.

Update: Mitch McConnell too!

JUST IN: McConnell to Trump: Stop attacking minority groups https://t.co/ITI0JtYDAKpic.twitter.com/mkm0S2CG18

— The Hill (@thehill) June 7, 2016