Included in “Washington, D.C., roll call,” (Oct. 1, The Columbian) was “Steps to protect Robert Mueller.” This action would have allowed debate on a Democratic proposal to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller III from being arbitrarily fired. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler voted in favor of a motion to block debate and prevent this bill from coming before the House. I called her office to see if she had an explanation as to why she voted this way. The person who answered the phone had no explanation.
In no other situation does a person being investigated have the power to fire his/her investigator. A criminal defendant does not have the power to fire the police detective investigating the case. It is important to maintain the separation of powers provided in the Constitution. This cannot happen if the president has the power to fire his investigator.
Herrera Beutler has an obligation to inform her constituents of how she voted and the reasons. One way to do this is to give the persons who answer her phone the information. Another way is to explain her rationale in the local press. A third way is to conduct in-person town halls to answer questions. She’s failed in all of these ways.
