Conservative: Trump made 'responsible, capable people' unwilling to serve as Republicans

National Review writer and hardcore conservative Dan McLaughlin is frustrated at the state of his party.

Writing on X Monday evening, he reflected that the GOP is seeing a dire brain drain in Congress — and former President Donald Trump and his loyalists, like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), are a big part of the reason why.

"Trump & Gaetz have made serving in Congress as a Republican something responsible, capable people don't want to do," wrote McLaughlin. "There will be a recruiting & fundraising bonanza when Trump is gone. But it could be a long wait for that.

"In the meantime, Democrats profit," he added glumly.

This comes amid a huge surge in retirements on the Republican congressional side that has swept up a number of longtime party leaders and committee chairs.

Among those who have recently announced their intention to leave are Reps. Ken Buck (R-CO) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), two longtime conservatives who expressed frustration and skepticism towards GOP impeachment efforts against President Joe Biden and his cabinet officials, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who previously chaired the House Republican Conference.