Senator, show courage and protect Mueller

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst refused to say whether she would take action to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collaboration between President Donald Trump's administration and the Russians during the 2016 election. Ernst said, 'I am not going to say today whether I will protect him, because there's a lot involved with that in itself.”

Indeed, there is! What is primarily involved is Ernst's paralyzing fear that doing anything Trump would see as disloyal would jeopardize her reelection hopes.

Ernst has for the past 4 years been a dutiful Republican foot soldier, voting for policies that have threatened the health care and economic well-being of middle class Iowans, while regularly supporting legislation that favors the wealthy and corporate interests.

Asked if she would 'stand up to the president” if Trump's handpicked Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker were to move to wind down Mueller's investigation, Ernst replied, 'I don't think that's going to happen. I don't.” These words ring hollow in light of Trump's prior firing of both FBI Director James Comey and Attorney General Jeffrey Sessions, as well as his relentless verbal onslaught against Robert Mueller and the Russia investigation.

Iowans should remember Ernst's political cowardice when they cast their ballots in 2020. She should fear the voters' rebuke as much as she fears Trump's wrath.

Edward Wasserman

Iowa City