Republicans think upholding the Constitution isn't as important as keeping Trump happy: CNBC analyst

Republican leaders in the House and Senate may have voiced their opposition to President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency in the past, but they're unwilling to do so now. CNBC's John Harwood revealed in his conversations with Republicans officials; they're trying to hide instead of protecting the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution.

"Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was on the record saying it was a bad idea," Harwood said. "Look, I think from a Republican point of view, they are trying to manage this president, and it was sort of sad to see Mitch McConnell go to the floor like that and embrace a declaration that he criticized before it hand. But I think he came to the conclusion that was the only way he could prevent the president of the United States from driving the government toward another shutdown he might not be able to prevent with a veto override."

Harwood said he believes the GOP is merely trying to manage the situation.

"I talked to a couple of Republican members of Congress over the weekend, and one of them said, 'Look, it's going to be struck down by the courts, we all know that. Let's just move on,'" Harwood recalled. "So, I think they're not willing to protect the separation of powers in this instance because the price of that -- standing up ahead of time and challenging the president might be a situation that would be even worse from their perspective."

All elected officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. They are never ordered to take an oath to defend the president or their party leaders.

MSNBC host Kasie Hunt warned that there is a chance that the courts would not strike down Trump's national emergency.

Republican strategist Rick Tyler explained that Trump had no choice. He called it the "best, last, worst choice" left for the president to choose from.

He named off many failures from previous presidents on both sides of the aisle, and in those cases, the presidents moved on.

"Trump can't take the defeat, so he needed a way out," said Tyler. "I think the Republicans recognized by declaring it a national emergency, which is this is not, let's be clear, I don't think this is what the legislation was intended for. I urge Congress to go back and tighten it up. It is not a national emergency. But now Trump can say he got his victory."

He went on to note that Trump is losing on a significant issue for him and by doing so, "it's over."

"And Trump is a deal maker who never backs down, right?" Tyler continued. "That's gone now. Nancy Pelosi's proved it three times. First on the state of the union, pulling that out from under him."

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