Having guts to speak truth to power is not considered a common character attribute among Republicans nowadays because former President Donald Trump (as of Wednesday, Jan. 20) and his cronies have threatened to “primary” any in the GOP who don’t completely apply their lips to his buttocks on any issue he embraces.
Then comes one brave soul, our very own Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA 4th District) who was only one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach the head instigator of the attempted coup on January 6 in our nation’s capitol.
Here is what he said, verbatim, in a news release issued Friday, Jan. 15. The words that follow, emphasized and underlined and in bold print are his:
“On January 6, 2021, hateful and un-American extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol, attacking both the structural embodiment of our Republic and the values we promote as citizens of this great nation. This violent mob, intent on disturbing the constitutional duties of Congress, resulted in the tragic loss of American lives, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. The mob was inflamed by the language and misinformation of the President of the United States.
President Trump saw a coequal branch of government under attack and did nothing to end the chaos while our brave law enforcement officers were overwhelmed. Instead, Vice President Pence was the authorizing figure that mobilized members of the D.C. National Guard while the Capitol was under siege.
The decision to impeach President Trump was the hardest decision I have made in my entire career, and it was not a decision I made lightly. I came to the conclusion that a vote against this impeachment is a vote to validate the unacceptable violence we witnessed in our nation’s capital. It is also a vote to condone President Trump’s inaction. Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.”
His vote and subsequent statement is the greatest exhibition of guts I have yet seen from any local Republicans and it was on a national stage, not easily hidden from anyone, including those who wish non-Trumpists bodily harm.
The fact of the matter is that Newhouse already faced five rivals to take his seat in last year’s primary and still he won the day. He has proven he can do it again, but Trumpists in the 4th District may fight to remove him in favor of a right-wing extremist because of his vote to impeach.
I hope cooler and moderate Republican and Democrat heads prevail and that Dan Newhouse finds the courage to battle on.
Rep. Newhouse has now proven beyond any doubt that he can, even if only occasionally, see other points of view as valid enough to get his vote, though the titular head of the party (Former President Trump) issued threats to his own supporters if they didn’t support the coup attempt.
As any former Marine, including me, would say, “no guts, no glory.” Thank you, Mr. Newhouse for showing what it means to fight tyranny, even if it comes from a so-called former fellow traveler.
As a society of peaceful transitions of power, as a society governed by law and order, I appreciate your extremely public and difficult stance against the chaos desired by criminals advocating anarchy and violence over our rights to choose our leaders via the ballot box.
Managing Editor Gary Bégin can be emailed at”: Gary@ncwmedia.net. Comments may be used as Letters to the Editor in future NCW Media publications.
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