Donald J. Trump is asking his fellow Republican politicians to do the utterly impossible.

The presumptive GOP presidential nominee wants Republican leaders in Congress to stand with him or “be quiet.”

Think about that for a moment.

Politicians who see their calling as requiring them to speak out are being asked to zip their lips. Trump said that he’ll do well “on my own” campaigning against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

This is yet another example of Trump showing an utter lack of understanding of the political process in which he is an active participant.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says he is distressed at what he calls Trump’s “racist” comments about a federal judge, Gonzalo Curiel. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been vocal as well in criticizing Trump’s string of harsh pronouncements.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has criticized Trump’s proposal to an Muslims from entering the country.

Earth to Trump: You need these people in your corner if you are going to have even a prayer of defeating Clinton this fall.

And you’re telling ’em to “be quiet”?

No … can … do.