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Serious question: What did Butt think he was doing? This seems almost guaranteed to produce a massive backlash and fail, so why did he do it in the first place?

“The Russia investigation is over. After 2 years of Dem & media hysteria, after millions of dollars, after 2800 subpoenas, the Mueller Report found NO collusion,” Cruz said in a tweet Thursday. “There’s no need for another subpoena for @DonaldJTrumpJr.” … Against orders from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who considers the Russia investigation to be “case closed,” Burr issued the subpoena on Wednesday. As of now, no Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee has publicly supported Burr’s subpoena. Cruz joins several of his Republican colleagues in ripping Burr’s subpoena of Trump Jr. Other prominent members of Congress who are disgruntled about the decision include Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), and House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA).

Burr is also refusing to explain his reasons for subpoenaing Trump:

But despite a day facing attacks from the highest rungs of party leadership, Burr is unmoved, according to colleagues in both parties. The North Carolina Republican declined to address the criticism or the subpoena to reporters, but there is no talk yet of withdrawing the subpoena, according to Republican senators. Burr gave a brief update on the status of his Russia investigation at a Senate GOP lunch on Thursday, attendees said. … “I told you I’m not going to chat right now. I’m in the middle of something,” Burr said as he made his way to lunch in the Senate dining room. Afterward, he posed for pictures with his lunch guests, then walked into the Capitol and kept his public silence.

Certainly, no Republican is publicly backing Burr. However, it remains to be seen whether McConnell will attempt any disciplinary action against him. It is worth noting that in 2015, the GOP had no problem punishing recalcitrant Tea Partiers. Burr has supposedly defied McConnell’s orders, but the question as to whether McConnell will enforce those orders remains open.

If Burr really did defy McConnell’s orders, then his political career is likely over. Republican support for him will collapse at this point, and he will likely face a primary challenge in his next election.