The National Review can be SO horrified.
Never-Trumpers have a rather skewed view of how a President “ought” to behave. President Trump has a sharp, almost acerbic wit, and can be resoundingly blunt in just about every situation, even some apparently trivial matters.
But one principle is demonstrated over and over - you strike at Donald Trump in an unfounded or patently false manner, he hits back. Hard. And without remorse.
I love the guy.
He’s like Tony Manero. J’ew wanna play wi’ ME??? Hokay! Say ‘ello to mah l’il frien’!!!!
Trump is just an obstacle to this core objective. As a primary target, they will utilize every tool and tactic available against him.
Criticizing him for what he does, what he doesn't do, and/or what they perceive he may or may not do is just a routine 9-5 job.
The media is a tough 'profession'. You're faced with an endless demand for content so that the owners (publishers) can generate advertising sales. (Or, in the case of NR and other vanity projects, external funding.)
Any functioning journo-list will have a pre-prepared, detailed outline & flowchart in which to pump out columns and opinions. It may appear skewed, but that's why like a semi looks like a work truck; it's supposed to. That is, that's its function.