Of course it was. Just like so many other things are. The Democrats have always acted as the Republicans front men. Democrats do all the bad deeds and the Republicans 'pretend' to oppose them. That has been the natural order of the American Congress for decades. Now, the Republicans find themselves in a position where there is nowhere to 'run and hide', and they don't know what to do. This is why so many Republicans hate Trump so much. Trump is turning on the light in the kitchen and the rats can't scurry away this time. They are trapped.
I believe that the Republicans will work with the Democrats (more than they usually do) to make sure the Democrats regain control of Congress in 2018. Republicans HATE having to take responsibility with nobody to blame. And they HATE to have to lead. The GOP leadership probably already have a list of junior Republican congressmen that they plan to throw under the bus to put the Dems back to the forefront. Then the Pubs can slip back to their corners, do their hackneyed and cliche kabuki 'opposition', and order will be restored.
It has become more clear than ever since the last election that the only single thing that Republicans care about is themselves, and maintaining the status quo. Republicans are just as 'swampy' as the Democrats. They are simply better at hiding it. But now they are playing with live ammunition. Trump is calling their bluff.