Steve Schmidt, a public affairs strategist, played an important role on Republican political campaigns for years, including those of George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Arizona Senator John McCain, working to advance the GOP.
But no more.
On Tuesday, Schmidt announced on his Twitter account that he would be leaving the party he joined almost 30 years ago. The reason?
He won't belong to the "party of Trump".
Today I renounce my membership in the Republican Party. It is fully the party of Trump."
29 years and nine months ago I registered to vote and became a member of The Republican Party which was founded in… https://t.co/fiVAEyJ4B4— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476862.0
In a series of Tweets, following his renunciation of his GOP membership and repudiation of their devotion to President Donald Trump, Schmidt further explained his decision. He also outlined what he feels must be done to restore the Republican Party and the United States.
It is corrupt, indecent and immoral. With the exception of a few Governors like Baker, Hogan and Kasich it is fille… https://t.co/vmeGwOv2SQ— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476863.0
Humanity in our history. It is connected by the same evil that separated families during slavery and dislocated tri… https://t.co/qVtv86kMBy— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476864.0
Season of renewal in our land is the absolute and utter repudiation of Trump and his vile enablers in the 2018 elec… https://t.co/M4H4258IqH— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476864.0
On Ronald Reagan’s grave are these words. “ I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always ev… https://t.co/aWbSA0RqoW— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476865.0
Establishes internment camps for babies. Everyone of these complicit leaders will carry this shame through history… https://t.co/4mgcEKoLEr— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476866.0
I have spent much of my life working in GOP politics. I have always believed that both parties were two of the most… https://t.co/8zoxwQySbo— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476867.0
Schmidt finished his announcement by stating he would be registered as an independent, but would turn his focus toward advancing the Democratic Party as the only party that:
...stands for what is right and decent and remains fidelitous to our Republic, objective truth, the rule of law and our Allies."
This Independent voter will be aligned with the only party left in America that stands for what is right and decent… https://t.co/nTQkIpIcBK— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529476867.0
This is not the first time Schmidt was critical of President Donald Trump or members of his administration or the Republican Party for their complicity.
Steve Schmidt appeared frequently on Meet the Press and other news commentary programs as a political analyst and expert. He also made his opinion known on Twitter.
Every single GOP member of Congress who will not confront Trump’s rantings, delusions and non stop lies in a public… https://t.co/Y4i2NLPQAB— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529152405.0
This sacred day of remembrance was defiled by Trump and his vulgar expressions of self interest. It is truly a disg… https://t.co/htnuaTPoGA— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1527558916.0
The stench of cowardice and corruption of this generation of elected GOP officials will linger for decades. That no… https://t.co/hltX4mzHoS— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529065969.0
Trumps’ non stop lying is simply astonishing. It is unprecedented in the history of this country. Trumps lies aren’… https://t.co/J5mk6CiSE7— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529152225.0
A clear line has been drawn with the release of Trumps legal memo. Make no mistake, it is a direct attack on the ru… https://t.co/uhzac6YdKY— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1527980499.0
The American people will now get to watch a disgusting display of political cowardice as Paul Ryan and all the res… https://t.co/OSP4esh8bN— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1527981191.0
Schmidt even made comparisons between the tactics employed by the Trump administration and those employed by the Nazis during their rise to power in Germany.
The Nazis like all totalitarians were exquisite liars. Cynicism, cruelty and corruption accompanied by attacks on t… https://t.co/toe11AlGRr— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529253622.0
He is also not acting alone. He acts with his henchmen like Miller and complicit enablers like Nielsen, Kelly, Sand… https://t.co/u2Wg5i4igo— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1529253770.0
Several Republican members of congress prefer to retire than continue during the era of Trump. How many more lifelong GOP faithful will leave before the Republican Party denounces the man who only joined their party to run for president?