As a blue dot in a red state it’s often hard to know how to push back against the hourly outrages coming out of D.C. But you do what you can. It would seem that some of the offenses of the past two weeks might cross partisan lines —undermining law enforcement, messing with Social Security info, bullying clergy.
Here’s me trying to do what I can. Following is a message I just sent to the contact forms of Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. Maybe it might help with the numbers game — one more message unhappy about the rampage from the White House. And maybe, just maybe, someone in one of those offices will actually read this and be touched by a phrase or two.
To Senators Paul and McConnell: Comment on changes in White House policy and practices
As a constituent I’m asking you to use your influence to protect my financial security, privacy, and safety from threats by the White House. You know how to use the levers of power better than I do, but one suggestion would be to hold public hearings on the propriety and legality of several moves by the new administration. Such a step seems warranted by virtue of both Congress’s oversight functions, as well as legitimate public questions about how citizens are affected by recent jolts to vital and trusted government institutions.
Specific concerns, based on credible media reports, include:
- Elon Musk’s access to sensitive Treasury information. Citizens deserve the accountability and transparency of any government agency or employee, but especially in this case with his unofficial and unvetted status in the government.
- Purging of government documents, remaking government websites. Hasty action to bring the many pieces of the federal government more in line with the views of the Trump administration has caused confusion as websites went dark and restrictions of information even jeopardized public safety. Such actions deserve at least public attention.
- Undermining law enforcement. The massive firing of FBI employees raises questions about the nation’s readiness to combat terrorism specifically and major crime in general. The actions at least deserve more public scrutiny. The pardoning and releasing of the 1,500 January 6 rioters, while certainly within the president’s power, raises questions about the general rule of law, as well as the need to monitor so many convicted, violent criminals now back on the streets.
- Media, citizen harassment. Targeting media with lawsuits, revoking of privileges, and general public shaming for failing to fall in line with White House policies or points of view threaten an institution that distinguishes the freedoms that people like about this country.
I know that you, like all politicians, public figures, and regular citizens have their beefs with the press. But semi-official steps to muzzle and intimidate a free press into one that conforms with a specific ideology deserve opposition from all points of view. I urge you also to at least be publicly critical of targeting citizens for ridicule and even death threats. From election workers to religious leaders to different ethnicities and disabilities, people fear for their lives after Trump and supporters demonize them for the slightest perceived slight. This is not right, and I hope you will say so more often.
I know you have strong loyalties to the Republican Party, but many of these actions go beyond policy changes and disagreements, into illegal and dangerous overthrowing of legitimate and important institutions. A strong political party should be able to withstand public examination and self-critiques. Please keep the country on track with our democratic traditions.
Sincerely,
Paul Wesslund
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