Enough is enough for many in corporate America

Follow the money, goes the Watergate-era bromide. It still describes today’s Washington.

Large corporate donors are stepping away in droves from Donald Trump and the 147 Republicans who, on Jan. 6, opposed President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.

Their decision not to accept the certified election results came only hours after a mob, egged on by President Trump himself, stormed the Capitol building and attempted unsuccessfully to …

Well, it’s hard to say what these wannabe insurrectionists hoped to achieve.

A few, armed with handcuffs and zip ties, appeared intent on taking lawmakers hostage or perhaps even executing them. Some seemed bent on mindless destruction. Many acted like misbehaving students bored with a tour, perching on the dais in the Senate chambers, putting their feet up on desks, taking selfies.

Now there are concerns about far-right insurgents within the Capitol Police and allegations by Democrats that some unnamed Republican members of Congress may have given tours to insurgents ahead of the riot. The fallout culminated in Wednesday’s historic — in all the wrong ways — second impeachment of President Trump.

All this after weeks of haranguing by Trump and others about widespread election fraud, unsubstantiated and unproven, with 60 losses or dismissals of cases in various courtrooms across the country.

Is it any wonder corporate America is abandoning those members of Congress who chose to stand on the wrong side of the election-certification issue? Especially because many seemed less intent on ferreting out alleged fraud than with securing the loyalty of Trump’s base for their own political futures?

Walmart’s political action committee and its millions of dollars are gone. Ditto American Express, Disney, General Electric, Mastercard and others.

While it would be wonderful if these corporate behemoths have grown a moral spine, it’s just as likely they are acting out of self-preservation, distancing themselves from negative press and guilt by association.

For some, it may be too little, too late. Walmart gave large sums of money to Donald Trump in 2019, more than it gave to any other individual candidate, possibly because his supporters’ demographics are so similar to the company’s. Executives were less concerned then with his multiple conflicts of interest, his racist dog whistles, and his environmental disdain.

Companies aren’t the only ones following the money. It’s not too much of a stretch to suppose at least a few of the ten House Republicans who voted along with Democrats to impeach the president were thinking of their own political fortunes — in the literal sense — as the Trump brand becomes more tarnished.

Ohio’s own Rep. Jim Jordan insists this second impeachment is a byproduct of so-called “cancel culture.” Let’s be honest: Trump richly deserves to be cancelled. He has earned his lifetime block on Twitter, his indefinite ban on Facebook, and any other moves to mute his ongoing lies and provocations.

But the reality is that Trump is not being cancelled, not now or in the future.

While the First Amendment does not guarantee him — or anybody — the right to a vast audience of Twitter followers or a YouTube channel to post videos that repeat the same baseless conspiracies, the president still has many options.

For a few more days at least, he can call a news conference whenever he wants. After next Wednesday, he can feel free to hold rallies, likely to substantial, adoring crowds.

Companies, likewise, have the freedom to take their money elsewhere, especially when customers urge them to support candidates who, at the very least, have not displayed a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and who respect the sanctity of our election system. Consumers can use their First Amendment rights to pressure these companies to make the right call.

And our money can follow the businesses that do.

chris.schillig@yahoo.com

@cschillig on Twitter