Hey Jim.
In politics one has to push back, hard, and when it happens. Things like this can’t go unanswered - especially by the opposing party leadership since the 4th Estate is almost dead. Failure to push back openly has detrimental effects. You probably can come up with 10 things off of your head like this over the past 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 years where the GOP and/or media did not challenge or push back hard. Look where the US is today in terms of its institutions, the quality/morality of its culture, and shared beliefs/common purpose. It even infected families - there are articles at national holiday times (!) about not inviting the “right wing fascist” brother or sister over for dinner, or how to kick them out if they say anything anti-leftist.
While one has to pick ones battles, consistently saying nothing accomplishes exactly what we have become, and by whom we are being led.
When in a war and you are the only ones playing fair..
YOU WILL LOSE!