Reid: GOP is the party of Trump

Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ripped Republicans Thursday, warning that they’ve let Donald Trump take over the party.

“The Republican Party has become a hollowed shell of its former self, and it’s ripe for Trump’s takeover,” he told reporters during a conference call. “The Republican Party is Trump’s Party.”

His comments mark an opening salvo from the Senate’s top Democrat since Trump locked down his position this week as the presumptive GOP nominee, foreshadowing what will likely be a steady stream of rhetorical hits.

{mosads}Reid added that Republicans have “nominated an anti-woman, anti-Hispanic, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant billionaire.”

Democrats are racing to tie vulnerable GOP Senate incumbents to Trump after he won the Indiana primary, previewing a central tactic as they head into November. They argue Senate Republicans are blocking Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland so Trump can fill the vacant court seat.

“GOP senators say they trust the judgment of a man who defends rape, who calls women dogs and pigs, who spews hatred towards immigrants,” Reid said.

Democrats will need to net four seats to win back control of the Senate if they retain the White House, and five to get the majority outright.

In addition to the handful of states previously carried by Obama, Reid said Democrats will be competitive in Florida, Missouri and Arizona.

Asked if he believes Trump at the top of the ticket will help Republicans in his home state, Reid fired back “the obvious answer is no. Not only no, but hell no.”

Reid is retiring at the end of his current term. Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.), who is running to succeed him, has said he will support whoever wins the party’s nomination.

Reid warned Thursday that he plans to continue his verbal barbs against Trump, particularly on the businessman’s refusal to release his tax returns.

“He’s going to have to fess up to whatever he’s done in the business world including filing his income tax statement,” he said.