Thomas Zimmer: Republicans have abandoned democracy so there can be no more ‘politics as usual’

The GOP is embracing extremist fringes, yet many Democrats are acting as if politics as usual is still an option

A Trump supporter, Richard Barnett, sits in the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with his foot on her desk after Republican supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty

Over the past few weeks, US president Joe Biden has repeatedly emphasised his friendship with Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell. At the national prayer breakfast in early February, for instance, he praised McConnell as “a man of your word". 

"And you’re a man of honour," he said. "Thank you for being my friend.”