A few have stuck their heads above the parapet. But don’t hold your breath. Despite some criticism from influential Senate Republicans, the party that Donald Trump hijacked on his way to the White House will for the most part quietly go along with the president’s refugee policy that has created uproar in liberal America and around the world.

The most visible Republican dissenters are the usual suspects: Senator John McCain of Arizona and his companion in arms, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. For them at least, it was a matter of principle: that the order issued on Friday night (and on Holocaust Remembrance Day of all days) was against both the tenets upon which American was founded, and might well be counterproductive, “a self inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism.”

For the rest however, it was anything but a display of profiles in courage. The widespread unease in Republican ranks at what is happening, at the damage being done to the country’s global reputation, is palpable. But the criticism is being voiced not at the substance of what has been done, but at the way it was done.

Take Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said he supported the need for tighter screening, but that the order had been “poorly implemented.”

Which, to be fair, is putting it mildly. The planning was a shambles: it is unclear whether key government agencies involved, like the State and Homeland Security departments, were even informed beforehand, let alone properly consulted – as testified by the confusion over whether legal permanent US residents from the seven countries on the hit list, would be affected by the provisions.

But that’s as far as most Republicans on Capitol Hill will go. And the most important ones of all, not even that far. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell adopted his usual tactics on Trump-related controversies, i.e of saying next to nothing at all. Meanwhile House Speaker Paul Ryan – who condemned candidate Trump’s talk of bans on Muslim immigrants during the campaign – declared his explicit support for the measures immediately after they were announced, and has stuck to that position since.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

One difference of course is that Mr Trump is no longer a candidate (whom most Congressional Republicans never expected to win the general election), but president. Everyone wants to line up behind a winner.

That though is not the only reason. A good chunk of Congressional Republicans agree with the White House order. And even those that don’t agree need the vote of Trump supporters to win re-election (in the case of House Republicans less than two years from now).

And whatever the outcry in the liberal citadels along the coasts. Trump voters in the heartlands and the rust belt states that gave him victory presumably are delighted by the anti-refugee clampdown. After all Mr Trump is doing no more than what he promised on the campaign trail. For most elected Republicans, therefore, discretion is the better part of valour.

Protests across American airports in response to Trump's immigration ban

As for Mr Ryan, he has further reason not to rock the boat. He and Mr Trump had an uneasy relationship during the campaign. But since, a tacit bargain appears to have emerged – or so at least the Speaker hopes.