Why is the current conservative movement in the USA acting with such cruelty, divisiveneess, bullying and lack of empathy on such a grand scale?

I am having a hard time understanding why the current political leadership at the federal level in the United States is using methods that, to date, have tended to be reserved for despots and dictators in other countries. Even the most politically motivated leaders in past administrations appeared to show at least a minimum amount of diplomacy, decorum, and decency. Given there are a lot of Christian groups supporting the current leadership, how can the current actions be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus, who, in my reading, preached empathy and meekness. Why is this round of leadership such bullies and can the USA come back from this?