Overview of Republicans CHEER Trump Impeachment at CPAC
This episode of Pod Save America (Crooked Media) features Senator Chris Murphy. Hosts and Murphy discuss three headline items: an odd CPAC moment where the crowd cheered “impeachment,” the intra-GOP fight over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — especially ICE and TSA — and the escalating U.S.–Iran crisis (focus on the Strait of Hormuz, possible ground troops, and a looming war supplemental). The conversation mixes political analysis, policy detail, and strategic implications for both domestic politics and global energy/security risks.
CPAC moment: crowd cheered “impeachment”
- What happened: At CPAC an audience spontaneously cheered when asked “How many of you would like to see impeachment hearings?”
- Interpretation:
- Hosts and Murphy see it less as a substantive shift and more as a symptom of the grievance-driven movement: ritualized chants (“lock him up,” “impeachment”) triggered reflexive cheering.
- They frame it as stupidity or herd behavior rather than a principled turn against Trump.
- Observation that shame is absent in the movement — organizers and regulars remain publicly comfortable despite controversy.
DHS funding fight and the ICE/TSA split
- Timeline and mechanics:
- Senate Republican leader John Thune put forward a bill to fund DHS components except ICE and CBP; the Senate effectively passed it unanimously.
- The House (led by Speaker Mike Johnson) has been publicly at odds with the Senate; Johnson has blamed Democrats, but Murphy stresses Thune made the choice.
- Money and the “big, beautiful bill”:
- Agencies like ICE and CBP have also been drawing from prior supplemental funding (referred to as the “big, beautiful bill”).
- Murphy warns that agencies are burning through that money quickly — he estimates up to ~75% of an ~$85B pot could be spent by year-end.
- Much of the rapid expenditure is attributed to expensive, temporary contractor work and what Murphy calls corruption/padding.
- Political and policy consequences:
- Democrats attempted to leverage appropriations to extract ICE reforms (accountability, limits on roving patrols, etc.) but could not secure final concessions.
- Net result: ICE will have less appropriations money (reducing its operational capacity) even if TSA and others are funded — Democrats preserved a public moral distinction by refusing to fund ICE without reforms.
- Practical note: if House passes a different, ICE-including bill it likely won’t clear the Senate (60-vote threshold).
- Side points:
- Discussion of Trump potentially using an executive action to pay TSA from other funds — suspected to come from the existing supplemental pot.
- Frustration at rapid and opaque spending that benefits contractors and GOP consultants.
Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and war risks
- Rubio vs Rubio (then/now):
- Hosts compare Senator Marco Rubio’s past warning that closing Hormuz would be “suicide” for Iran, versus more recent comments acknowledging Iran could “toll” the strait post-conflict — a sign of diminished U.S. leverage.
- Military reality and lack of a plan:
- Murphy argues there is no reliable plan to keep the Strait of Hormuz open in a sustained conflict: Iran can use many small boats and mines in shallow narrows to deny shipping, and clearing that at scale is not practical until hostilities end.
- Reopening may thus depend on post-conflict diplomacy — and China or other powers may favor Iran, not the U.S.
- China’s role:
- Open-source reporting suggests Chinese shipments are helping Iran resupply (missiles, etc.), creating mutual dependence: China benefits from access, Iran from technology/resupply.
- Ground troops and contingency planning:
- Classified briefings have surprised some Republicans; Murphy says the administration is keeping the option of ground troops on the table, with fringe ideas like seizing Kharg Island under discussion.
- War supplemental debate:
- Administration may request a large supplement (figures like $200B discussed on-air).
- Murphy warns such supplemental votes function as de facto votes for war: replenishing arms will likely be used to prolong hostilities.
- Public pressure — rising gas and grocery prices — will shape congressional votes; Murphy believes the public will see supplemental votes as votes for war.
- Strategic long-term risks:
- Iran has damaged regional energy infrastructure; prolonged conflict could keep energy prices high for years.
- Murphy raises the threat of an emergent global Shia insurgency (aligned with Iran and proxies) that could target U.S. interests and homeland — a potential long-term security cost.
Main takeaways
- The CPAC cheering for “impeachment” is more performative grievance than a real opposition to Trump.
- The GOP is divided: Thune’s Senate strategy funded DHS broadly while excluding ICE/CBP, forcing political and procedural friction with the House.
- Supplemental/previously allocated funds are being spent quickly; much of it may have been lost to expensive contractors and padding.
- Democrats failed to secure comprehensive ICE reforms but did achieve reduced ICE appropriations and a clear moral distinction.
- There is no easy military solution to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open; reopening likely requires ending hostilities and diplomatic negotiation.
- A large war supplemental will be politically fraught and, according to Murphy, effectively enables prolonging the conflict.
Notable quotes / concise insights
- On CPAC: “They’re so used to cheering for ‘lock him up, lock her up, impeachment’ that they were just like, ‘oh, impeachment, that’s a thing we’re for.’”
- On spending: “They are spending it like drunken sailors right now.”
- On the Strait of Hormuz: “There is no way to reopen the strait until the conflict ends.”
- On war funding: “There’s really no argument that this is anything other than buying more stuff to allow the president to keep this war going.”
What to watch next
- Whether the House caves or passes a different DHS funding package and whether the Senate holds to Thune’s bill.
- Administration moves: any executive actions to pay TSA or other agencies from supplemental funds.
- The content and timing of any war supplemental request and how congressional votes split.
- G7 diplomacy outcomes regarding pressure on Iran and China’s posture.
- Energy market indicators (gas prices) and any confirmed damage to regional energy infrastructure.
This summary captures the episode’s key policy explanations, political dynamics, and risk framing.