They are sending a message to everyone not to help Trump.
They are also sending a message to others, don’t even think of being someone like Trump that challenges the establishment. They will make you pay.
Their goal is to defeat Trump in 2020 and find something they can use to blackmail him into toeing the establishments line until then.
May I use part of your post as my new tagline?
You’ve hit the nail on the head, my FRiend.