Former Congressman From Hawaii Quits GOP, Citing Trump

Charles Djou
UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 19: Charles Djou (Photo By Douglas Graham/Roll Call/Getty Images)
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HONOLULU (AP) — A former congressman from Hawaii said Monday he’s leaving the Republican Party because of President Donald Trump and the failure of fellow party members to stand up to him.

Charles Djou, who represented Honolulu in the U.S. House from 2010 to 2011, wrote in an opinion piece published in Civil Beat on Monday he’s disturbed that the Republican Party under Trump has become hostile to immigration.

Djou lamented Trump’s desire to launch a trade war, his treatment of veterans like Sen. John McCain, his belittling of lawmakers and his recitation of conspiracy theories.

“I can no longer stand with a Republican Party that is led by a man I firmly believe is taking the party of Lincoln in a direction I fundamentally disagree with, and a party that is unwilling to stand up to him,” Djou wrote.

Djou said he’s most disappointed by the failure of the GOP to clearly and consistently condemn Trump’s “childish behavior.”

“Sadly today, too many Republicans either applaud Trump’s tirades or greet them with silent acceptance,” Djou said. “This leads to an implicit ratification by the GOP of Trump’s undisciplined, uninformed and unfocused leadership as a core part of the Republican Party.”

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Djou served in the Honolulu City Council and in the state House. He is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2012 and 2014. He’s not currently seeking public office. 

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  1. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    “I can no longer stand with a Republican Party that is led by a man I firmly believe is taking the party of Lincoln in a direction I fundamentally disagree with, and a party that is unwilling to stand up to him,” Djou wrote.

    “I can no longer stand with a Republican Party that is led by a man I firmly believe is taking the party of Lincoln in a direction I fundamentally disagree with, and a party that is completely unwilling, and too intimidated and cowardly to stand up to him,” Djou wrote.

    There, fixed it!

  2. Somehow the party of Lincoln seems more like the party of George Lincoln Rockwell these days. I’ll get excited when a Republican in the House or Senate now leaves the GOP.

  3. Headline:
    Man No One has Heard of Decides Not to Run and Writes Article

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