State Sen. John Braun denounces threats against government officials

In a statement released on Wednesday by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, the Senate Republican minority leader denounced threats against public officials.

Braun’s statement came after a story in The Spokesman-Review discussing threats made against Washington Secretary of Health Umair Shah and other officials.

“It’s fair to question or criticize government’s response to the pandemic. Many of us have. But it’s completely unacceptable for anyone to threaten Secretary Shah, the state Board of Health or others in our state or local public health agencies. I realize the governor used threats and intimidation to impose his vaccine mandate on teachers and other public servants, but two wrongs don’t make a right,” Braun said.

Braun pointed to his criticism of protests during the summer of 2020 and the violent events that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as evidence of his consistent stance against political violence. The senator also emphasized actions by Republicans in the Legislature against those who threaten government officials.

“If people don’t agree with a policy, they have the power to change the policymakers,” Braun said. “We all know how that is done. In the meantime, there’s a line between influencing and intimidating, and a reason that intimidating a public servant is against state law. I encourage people to speak out, and to hold their government accountable. However, let’s do it in a way which is constructive, follows the law and recognizes the inherent dignity of people.”