Mark Kelly whacks Trump in the bone spurs over his outrageous Zelenskyy rant | Opinion

 Sadly, there was no John McCain to respond after last week’s White House blowup between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

With few exceptions, Republicans who should have been appalled immediately kowtowed to Trump.

Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, for example, said on social media, “Dictator Zelensky had the audacity to disrespect President @realDonaldTrump and VP @JDVance during what should have been a friendly meeting, and @POTUS rightfully showed him the door. This is the leadership America has craved for four years.”

Actually, no.

World leaders – our allies – universally backed Ukraine. As when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Britain stands with Ukraine, today and always.”

Our allies stood with Zelenskyy against Trump

Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macron posted, “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago – and to keep doing so.”

And German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote, “Germany together with our European allies stands united alongside Ukraine – and against the Russian aggression. Ukraine can build on unwavering support from Germany, Europe, and beyond.”

Trump has been genuflecting before Russian dictator Vladimir Putin since early in his previous term.

After one meeting between the two leaders in 2018, Sen. John McCain said, “President Trump proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin."

He added, “No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant. Not only did President Trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary, but speaking for America to the world, our president failed to defend all that makes us who we are.”

John McCain was tough on Trump's love of Putin

The late McCain is no long around to remind us of what makes us who we are.

But Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly has stepped up, calling Trump’s performance with Zelenskyy “a gift” to Putin from a president desperate to look hard-bitten, when he isn’t.

Or, as Kelly put it, “Remember, this is a guy who avoided military service (during the Vietnam War), said he had bone spurs. I think he has spent his entire life trying to look tough. But in him trying to look tough, he is making us less safe, and he is making our entire country look weak.”

He added, “And who is the winner? It is Vladimir Putin. It is a war criminal who is intentionally killing women and children and old people, targeting hospitals, targeting schools.”

Mark Kelly steps where few Republicans now tread

During Trump’s first term, a number of Republicans besides McCain criticized Trump’s cozy relationship with Putin.

Now there are precious few. And they tread lightly.

Republicans these days shudder and kneel before Trump the way frightened, dutiful bootlickers cower before Putin.