Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, seems to have finally gotten religion with her vote to impeach Trump this second time around, and the local response seems to be overwhelmingly positive. I’m less enthused.
Her vote seems disingenuous to me, given that Herrera Beutler, and her Republican ilk, have for four years essentially abrogated their constitutional duty as the legislative check and balance that our Founders envisioned. Republicans have allowed Trump to get away with behavior, policies and language that have made us the laughing stock of the world. Thus, thanks partly to Herrera Beutler, Trump was left to his own devices.
Emboldened by a silent and a complicit GOP lapdog Congress, Trump finally crossed a line even Herrera Beutler couldn’t ignore. Now she has “bravely” decided that it’s in her political interest to finally break from a weakened Trump to gain some post-Trump era credibility?
Jaime Herrera Beutler’s long four years of silence and support of this heinous administration’s abuses will not be overwritten by her vote, a vote to impeach this president for behavior and actions that Herrera Beutler herself is partially responsible for. She does not represent Southwest Washington’s interests or values and must be shown the door at the next opportunity.
