Republicans seem to strongly believe in a particular attribute: Loyalty above all else. Depending on your point of view, this can be an asset or a fault. Loyalty to leadership can be important, but it also can be a weapon to bludgeon followers whose faith is weakening.
I think GOP voters are afraid to publicly admit that Trump is a criminal, and that their support of him is wrong. Their silence over the years in the face of all the charges against Trump, suggests their loyalty is shaken, but they're waiting for other Republicans to voice their thoughts out loud. Since all these indictments have dropped, it's beginning to happen.
For those, like myself, who believe that blind loyalty in politics is not good, we're saying to ourselves, 'What took you so long?'