The Destructionists The Twenty-Five Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party By Dana Milbank

In Dana Milbank's scathing exposé, "The Fall of the Grand Old Party," he traces the tumultuous trajectory of the Republican Party over the past twenty-five years, from the idealistic promises of the Contract with America to the shocking insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Milbank argues that the seeds of the GOP's decline were sown with the rise of obstructionist figures like Newt Gingrich, who prioritized partisan warfare over bipartisanship. As the party evolved, it became increasingly beholden to figures like Karl Rove, Mitch McConnell, and Rudy Giuliani, who employed divisive tactics and embraced extremist ideologies to maintain their grip on power.

Throughout the book, Milbank exposes the party's descent into a haven for white supremacists, conspiracy theorists, and authoritarianism, highlighting the shocking lengths to which Republican leaders have gone to preserve their dominance.

With meticulous research and incisive analysis, Milbank presents a damning indictment of the Republican Party's transformation and its complicity in fostering political violence and undermining democratic norms. "The Fall of the Grand Old Party" serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of partisanship and the urgent need for political reform in America.