My wife and I were living together for more than a decade before we got married. Our primary reasons for getting married were tax benefits and reducing legal complications if one of is in the is hospitalized or dies. Our wedding was followed at the court house followed by a very fancy lunch with 2 friends that acted as our witness’s.
Getting married has made no real difference in our relationship, besides now we split a joint tax return.
No, he is being attacked because he publicly contradicted Trump. If do anything Trump perceives as “making him look bad”, he will attack you.