I recently wrote Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, asking, in light of President Trump seeking campaign assistance from Ukraine’s president by digging up dirt on a political rival, if she was willing to support an impeachment inquiry. Her response: “There are senior senators who in May of 2018 asked Ukraine to help investigate the Trump campaign, and nobody is talking about throwing them out of office.” And: “These allegations are serious and efforts to get all of the facts demand continued transparency.”
Her statement about the senators has been debunked. Contrary to her claim that they were trying to influence the election, Sens. Durbin, Leahy, and Menendez wrote a letter imploring the Ukraine government to resist the president’s demands to obstruct the Mueller investigation.
Herrera Beutler advocates “transparency.” Nevertheless, Trump has refused to honor every subpoena for transcripts and testimony. Mike Pompeo has ordered his State Department employees not to testify. Trump has issued threats to a whistleblower whose credible accusations are corroborated by the Inspector General.
Herrera Beutler’s stance is hardly a profile in courage. The president has put his personal interests ahead of national security. He must be held accountable by the only means available: impeachment.
