It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, it’s the annual “coal in the stocking” list, a roundup of the most heinous, abusive, clueless or simply unlikable lawmakers.
With President Donald Trump leading the country for most of 2017, many politicians were emboldened to be their baddest selves — and here are the 10 worst.
1. Scott Walker
Just when you thought the days of demanding that people receiving government assistance undergo mandatory drug testing were over, well, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is bringing it back.
Despite the fact that drug tests have been declared unconstitutional search-and-seizure, as well as a colossal waste of money, Walker insists that Wisconsin should reconsider the practice. Why? Because there’s nothing that the GOP loves more than shaming people who need assistance from the state.
2. Tim Murphy
Many congressmen have stepped down in scandal this year, but Pennsylvania Representative Tim Murphy was one of the first. He may not have been the most offensive, but there’s nothing quite like asking your mistress to get an abortion at the same time you’re praising anti-abortion activists.
3. Trent Franks
Arizona Congressman Trent Franks learned a similarly valuable lesson: don’t ask your support staff to have your baby. It took two women to bring Franks down, but he’s officially gone for good after offering to pay a staffer $5 million for surrogacy and then cold shouldering her professionally when she refused. At least now Franks can spend some time at home with his kids.
4. Jim Ziegler
No one would know this politician’s name outside of Alabama, if not for Roy Moore’s GOP nomination for Senate. But after Moore’s primary victory and the subsequent sexual abuse allegations involving teenage girls, Ziegler gave perhaps the most well-known defense of the former judge of any of his supporters: “Well, Joseph was twice as old as Mary when they were married.”
Um, yeah, thanks for that.
5. Paul Ryan
Let’s be honest, the Speaker of the…