GOP incumbents need to 'kiss Trump's ring' and defend Don Jr or face president's wrath come election time: lawmaker

The decision by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) to issue a subpoena against Donald Trump Jr. has made him very unpopular among Trump-loyalist factions of the GOP. Despite the fact that he himself has at certain points tilted the Senate's investigations in President Donald Trump's favor, the subpoena has been viewed in many quarters as an act of disloyalty.

As Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Thursday, it may not be a coincidence that Burr is not up for re-election, and many of the Republicans criticizing him are.

"I think what's important to point out here is that this is a Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee who has called on Donald Trump Jr. to come before the committee and has subpoenaed him," said Speier. "It shouldn't be lost on Republicans, and it shouldn't be lost on Democrats."

"It is also important to point out that [Judiciary Committee chairman] Lindsey Graham was one of the people that was interviewed who said, 'Well, I just wouldn't comply with it.'" Speier added. "This is the same Lindsey Graham who was running against then-Donald Trump the candidate, and calling him a nut job."

"So what we have is a number of people who are running for re-election, Lindsey Graham being one of them, who is concerned about winning re-election, and so we'll kiss the president's ring, if necessary, to make sure that they are re-elected," said Speier. "Mr. Burr is not running for re-election, and appears to have the backbone to do what's right on behalf of the American people."

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