Last week we reported that The Fresno Bee, hometown newspaper to GOP Representative Devin Nunes, published a scathing editorial endorsing the Democratic opponent of the conservative congressman.
After President Trump on Thursday said that Nunes deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom the Bee once again had a lot to say, this time about Nunes’ worthiness for such an honor. Trump said Nunes was deserving of a medal because he is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and he led congressional investigations into potential conspiracy with Russians during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. But the editors of the newspaper did not agree.
“What he’s gone through, and his bravery, he should get a very important medal,” Trump said, initially suggesting the Medal of Honor, which only goes to members to the military. Trump then later clarified that he meant the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
The Bee, severely criticized Trump’s idea in a scathing editorial.
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“With due respect to the president and his affection for Nunes, giving the congressman the medal would be laughable,” the Bee wrote.
Then the paper went on to say:
“Nunes’ work on the Intelligence Committee has been highly controversial, damaging and embarrassing. Nunes turned the committee’s traditional protocol — country before politics — upside down with how he has handled the committee’s investigation into Russian meddling.”
“How ironic that the very medal Trump wants to give Nunes is called ‘Medal of Freedom.’ Freedom from a real investigation?”
“The Medal of Freedom should not be politicized. The president obviously is grateful to the congressman. But the better way to show it would be to give Nunes a stay at a Trump hotel, complete with some free breakfasts.”
In August, we reported that Nunes sought unsuccessfully to meet chiefs of Britain’s three intelligence agencies on a recent visit to London. Despite his official position on the Intelligence Committee the British agencies are aware of where Nunes’ true loyalties lie, and they did not trust him enough to meet with him.
Unfortunately Devin Nunes seems to be in a safe congressional seat because his district is heavily Republican. He is not likely to lose his seat, but he will lose his chairmanship of the committee if Democrats take over control of the House. After Nunes leaves his post the new chairman will conduct a real investigation and the truth may finally come out with respect to Trump‘s collusion with Russia.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
