Officials can ignore the Constitution

“Officials can’t ignore the Constitution,” says The Gazette’s editorial (Dec. 3).

Unfortunately, they can and they do. Former Director of Administrative Services Adam Steen ignored the Constitution when he denied the Satanic Temple of Iowa’s request to hold an event at the Statehouse last year.

This year the temple’s request was again rejected, leading Steen to brag that he has won “a battle between good and evil.” Running to be governor of all Iowans, he acts as if religious freedom applies only to Christians.

Steen doubled down on his defiance of the Constitution by falsely claiming to be “the only candidate being sued by the Satanists.” Steen is not being sued by the Satanic Temple. Either he is lying or he is confused about the discrimination complaint filed against the state by the ACLU of Iowa, which says that the government should not favor one religious belief over another, or treat citizens worse or better based on their religion.

Put simply, the government may not deny public services or benefits to people or religious groups because officials disagree with their beliefs.

Steen also ignored Iowa law when he declared that the State Historical Society of Iowa in Iowa City would be closed. Iowa Code 8A.707 states that the Department of Administrative Services “shall maintain research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City.”

Ignoring the Constitution. Defying state law. Opposing the religious freedom of a peaceful, law-abiding group. That’s an impressive record for an official who calls himself “the faith guy.”

David Leshtz

Iowa City