Some Republicans Walk Out Instead of Speaking Up

First Read: “The story of these retirements isn’t just that some of them open up pickup opportunities for Democrats, though. It’s that they show just how uncomfortable many rank-and-file Republicans have been in the Trump era.”

“Retirements are typically a tell about how members view their party’s chances in the next election. And yes, some of these folks are in their late 70s or older. And of course, the no-fun realities of being in the minority have a way of pushing burnt-out members towards the door.”

“But these retirements also reflect an environment so toxic that even members with safe seats (and potentially promising futures on the Hill) are throwing in the towel.”

“With the current relentless news cycles about race and rhetoric — punctuated by the weekend’s racially-motivated attack in El Paso — are members really getting any less motivated to call it quits?”