‘Republican’ group attacking Trump, McConnell funded by liberal Trump critic

The ads from the group, which describes itself as “life-long Republicans dedicated to defending the institutions of our republic and upholding the rule of law,” got more attention after special counsel Robert Mueller told two House committees last month that Russians continue to meddle in U.S. elections and McConnell balked at imposing federal rules on state-run elections.

“His testimony has only reiterated the continuing need for bold action by Congress,” said Chris Truax, spokesman for the group. “Our representatives must step up and defend our Republic from future foreign meddling by passing legislation that deters those malign activities, secures our voting systems, and encourages public and private cybersecurity. This is not a partisan issue. We all have a stake in fair and free American elections,” he added.

But now that group’s ties are coming under scrutiny. McConnell’s campaign is calling it a “scam PAC” funded by ultra-liberal eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Omidyar, who funded the NeverTrump PAC and sharply criticized the president on Twitter, is the sole funder of Democracy Fund Voice which gave $1.6 million last year to Defending Democracy Together which funds Republicans for the Rule of Law.

Critics said that the group is just a front for lingering Never Trumpers. They note that Never Trump former The Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol tweeted support for it.

“They’re taking money from a left-wing billionaire and spending it to attack President Trump and Senator McConnell,” said McConnell Campaign Manager Kevin Golden. “Scam PACs come in all shapes and sizes, but this is the first one I’ve seen that resembles a laundromat,” he added.

But Truax said, “At the moment, there are times we are not proud Republicans. But we are dedicated Republicans who are pledged to upholding what have been traditional Republican values. But more than Republicans, we are Americans. And there is no partisan concern, no political calculation, that will allow us to stand by while the Russian government interferes with the sacred cornerstone of American Democracy: fair and free elections. If that makes us traitors — or Democrats — in the eyes of the Republican party, then so be it.”

Omidyar is a multibillionaire who has actively challenged Trump since before the 2016 election.

And a year in, he tweeted, “Please tell me we can find at least a few differences between the personal and political styles of early Adolf Hitler and today’s Trump.”

This year he has tweeted support for pro-impeachment Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler.