NBC News reports:
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday he will not run for reelection next year, saying he was appalled by President Donald Trump and the direction of the Republican Party.
“We must stop pretending that the conduct of some in our executive branch are normal. They are not normal,” Flake said in a passionate speech on the Senate floor that was aimed clearly at Trump.
He added, “When the next generation asks us, why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you speak up? What are we going to say?”
The one-term senator faced a potentially ugly primary against former state Sen. Kelli Ward, a fire-brand conservative backed by former Trump strategist Steve Bannon who had previously challenged Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
More from the speech from Heavy:
“There are times when we must risk our careers in favor of our principles, now is such a time,” he said during his speech. “It is time for our complicity and our accommodation of the unacceptable to end.”
“The personal attacks, the threats against principles, freedoms and institution, the flagrent disregard for truth and decency. The reckless provocations most oten for the pettiest and most personal reasons. Reasons having nothing whatsoever to do with the fortunes of the people that we have been elected to serve.” “Mr. President, I rise today to say, enough,” Flake said.
Jeff Flake: “Despotism loves a vacuum…”pic.twitter.com/seM4aKdDSF
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) October 24, 2017
Flake: “It is clear at this moment that a traditional conservative has a narrower and narrower path to nomination in the Republican Party.” pic.twitter.com/gfmthLHBeQ
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 24, 2017
“I will not be complicit or silent.” Arizona Senator Jeff Flake says he won’t be running for reelection, after months of criticizing Trump. pic.twitter.com/KIDNMLYrV9
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) October 24, 2017
.@PrestonCNN: Flake’s speech “historic,” should be shown in every high school politics, civics and history class https://t.co/SYpUtQp45J
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) October 24, 2017
Flake: “We were not made great as a country by… calling fake things true and true things fake.” pic.twitter.com/Ft2Ve6xbDf
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 24, 2017
Flake.
Corker.
McCain.
That said, dazzle us.#Impeach#25thAmendmentNow #Somethinghttps://t.co/2TMgrp1qfW— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) October 24, 2017