Morning Joe challenges GOP lawmakers to push back against Trump: 'It only takes two to say no'

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough ripped Republicans for questioning President Donald Trump's behavior -- while doing nothing to challenge his "autocratic" abuses.

GOP lawmakers such as Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) have spoken out against the president, but the "Morning Joe" host said talk was cheap.

"A lot of Republicans make statements," Scarborough said. "There's a lot of Republicans that suggest they're very concerned by what's going on, but it would just take a couple, two Republicans, to say no -- this is wrong. A military parade is not democratic."

He said Trump needs the support of nearly every Republican senator to accomplish anything, which gives them each enough leverage to constrain the president -- if they were willing to stand up.

"Go LBJ on them (and say), 'I'm going to look long and hard before we support this or before we support that,'" Scarborough said. "Or you can talk about the Dreamers. 'Mr. President, you made a promise and then you slandered the entire continent of Africa.' We two, we three, who are not running -- let's start with Bob Corker and Jeff Flake. those two men could change the course of the history, they could change Washington. They could stop Donald Trump's worst ideas, and push back against his most autocratic tendencies."

MSNBC's Mike Barnicle issued the same challenge to House Speaker Paul Ryan, but co-host Mika Brzezinski recoiled in disgust.

"Ugh, no -- it's too far gone," she said, and MSNBC's John Heilemann said he was a lost cause. "That train has left the station."

Scarborough expressed his personal disappointment in Ryan, whom he's known for 25 years.

"I like the guy very much, I really do -- I like him very much," Scarborough said. "I don't get it, but I don't get a lot these days, from a lot of other friends and family members."