For those who don’t know any better, Jeff Flake will always be a hero of the resistance. The Arizona senator gave his farewell address on Tuesday, declaring that he will no longer be “complicit or silent” as Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, rages in the White House.

“Without fear of the consequences and without consideration of the rules of what is politically safe or palatable, we must stop pretending that the degradation of our politics and the conduct of some in our executive branch are normal,” Flake said from the floor of the Senate. “They are not normal. Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused and countenanced as telling it like it is.”

Flake, an arch-conservative who recently published a book highly critical of Trump, went out in a blaze of pundit-approved glory. Never mind that he was polling well behind a fiery, pro-Trump challenger who threatened to unseat him next year. He was leaving on his own terms, dropping the mic and telling everyone how he really felt.

Mr Trump: anger and resentment are not a governing philosophy | Senator Jeff Flake Read more

In many ways, Flake epitomizes both the best and very worst of this current political class. He is a savvy opportunist who has been willing, at least, to stand up to such a destructive, ill-equipped president. At the minimum, America will need more Republicans like Flake to publicly voice concern about the dangers emanating out of the White House.

The Republican Party is hollow and gutless, bereft of ideas. Maybe Flake is starting to learn this.

Yet Flake is ultimately a phony who should be rejected by anyone with a progressive bone in their body. His qualms with Trump are primarily about decorum. He hates that Trump is not rigorously following the small government, rightwing ideology that treats the poor like serfs who deserve to rot and regards the rich as exalted gods in need of further pampering.

Flake’s chief lament, overlooked by some reports, is that Trump is not devoted to “limited government”, “free markets” and “free trade.” He wishes the billionaire had a little less compassion for the working class.

Play Video 1:24 Senator Jeff Flake announces he won’t seek re-election – video

Flake is a tireless defender of the white, the wealthy and the exploitative. He is a friend to predatory corporations and warmongers. At his core, he is a Republican who sees history somewhat like O’Brien, the ruthless antagonist of George Orwell’s 1984 – “a boot stamping on a human face – forever.”

Despite his posturing, Flake was a reliable Trump vote in the Senate. He did what he was told. According to a FiveThityEight tally, Flake voted in line with Trump’s positions 90% of the time. He supported Trump’s disastrous Obamacare repeal bill in July. He cheered Neil Gorsuch’s elevation to the US supreme court. He backed Scott Pruitt, a climate change denier, to be the administrator the Environmental Protection Agency.

GOP Senator Jeff Flake attacks 'reckless, outrageous and undignified' Trump Read more

Real resistance to Trump must transcend complaints about his tone, tweets and oafish mien. It must run to the core of his deleterious policy, and his clear disregard for anyone who is not privileged like him.

Flake is an opportunist who knew he was going to lose his seat. Now, he can hit the lecture tour and make a few liberals feel better about themselves. Maybe he will write another book.

Trump will still be president, ruling the country on the strength of senators like Flake who enabled him at every turn.