At this point, Idaho’s elected Republican leadership is as predictable as a gumball machine.

Insert a quarter; get a gumball.

Former President Donald Trump gets indicted, tried and convicted on 34 felony counts by a New York jury.

And one by one, you get the following:

Gov. Brad Little: “The American people will deliver the only verdict that matters in November.”

What else would you expect?

If Little wasn’t going to defend himself against Trump’s slights — whether it was confusing him as “Fred” or endorsing his 2022 GOP primary election rival, former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin — why would something as simple as abandoning the rule of law bother him?

Sen. Jim Risch: “As a former prosecutor, I learned early the importance of our constitutional right to the due process of law. Due process is simply basic fairness. ... New York’s mock trial made no attempt at even an appearance of fairness. This is what we expect from third world countries. A government, like New York, that conducts itself in such a fashion deserves to be feared, not cherished by its people.”

Risch could not bring himself to protest — or even mention — how the Trump-instigated Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists trashed his Capitol “hideaway” office. So you can bet impugning the sanctity of the jury system on Trump’s behalf isn’t going to cause this former prosecutor much heartburn.

Sen. Mike Crapo: “This is a dangerous move that threatens the security of our entire justice system — opening the floodgates of possible prosecution based on an individual’s mere existence, not criminal conduct. Voters will be the final determinant of who will serve as our next President.”

Let’s see: This is the same Crapo who voted every chance he got to impeach and convict former President Bill Clinton for lying under oath, but acquitted Trump for instigating an insurrection and then later refused to even form an independent congressional commission to get to the bottom of it. Accusing the courts of being “weaponized” is not much of a stretch.

Congressman Mike Simpson: “It is crystal clear Democrats have weaponized our judicial system against President Trump. From the beginning I’ve voiced my concerns about the political motivations of District Attorney (Alvin) Bragg. The American people are smart and can see this absurd political trial for what it is. President Trump has indicated he will appeal this verdict, and I fully support that decision.”

Simpson felt no shame when he signed onto Trump’s “big lie” about a stolen election and joined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to keep Trump in office via machinations in the House of Representatives, a legal strategy so bogus that even arch-conservative Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, refused to participate. Why would you think doing Trump’s dirty work is going to bother him now?

Congressman Russ Fulcher: “Donald Trump’s conviction for an unnamed, victimless crime is politics at its worst. Not only was it politically motivated, but it has made a mockery of our legal system. Historically, America’s adherence to the rule of law has been a differentiator from nations run by dictators. However, this verdict has now set a precedent that American courts can be abused for political purposes.”

Did Fulcher just utter the phrase “politics at its worst”?

What would you call the actions of a politician who not only telegraphed his plans to overturn President Joe Biden’s election on Jan. 6, 2021, but returned to the House floor after the insurrection violated the Capitol and then voted to overturn the results in Arizona and Pennsylvania as if nothing had happened? It’s tough the first time you forfeit your virtue. After that, it gets much easier.

You can see why none of these fellows wants to get on the wrong side of the MAGA base.

When former Maryland Gov. and GOP senatorial hopeful Larry Hogan rendered the sensible advice to respect the legal process and “not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” Trump senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita intoned: “You just ended your campaign.”

When former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said “the jury verdict should be respected,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., told him: “Kick Rocks, coward.”

And when the College Republicans went off the Trump reservation by saying “the outcome of this trial should be respected,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., rebuked them.

Still, you have to ask: What institutions are Idaho’s elected Republicans willing to defend? When will Trump’s perfidy be too much? Are there any red lines left? — M.T.