Dear Editor:

This is written in response to the Feb. 9 article describing the recent censure of Rep. Liz Cheney by the Park County Republican Party because of her vote to impeach Trump for his role in the failed coup d’etat of Jan. 6. The details of this tragedy and the ex-president’s actions will not be discussed here.

The Park County Republican Caucus platform has 13 “Timeless Truths” used for guidance. The first is that “Almighty God, not government, has endowed all mankind with certain unalienable rights” stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Other “truths” are that the “Constitution is the supreme law of the land” and that the 14th Amendment granting “equal protection under the law” is fully supported “as written” with no individual or group possessing rights that “supersede those of others.”

The caucus’ censure document stated that “the overwhelming majority” of the county electorate voted for Trump, “recognized” significant voting “irregularities” in several states, and notified Rep. Cheney of caucus opposition to impeachment. Nevertheless she “cast her vote without any quantifiable evidence of high crimes or misdemeanors” and violated the trust of her voters. It also said that her “political allies on the left” continually called for violence, destruction of property, and the raising of money to bail out “the [BLM] insurrectionists.”

First, we live in a secular country. Our rights are granted by our government via the Constitution. Those elected into office take an oath that requires fiduciary duty to the Constitution, not to any individual or political party. They are responsible for the rights of all Americans, not just Wyoming Republicans and must obey the law above any other consideration. Rep. Cheney obviously considered the feelings of her constituents but courageously voted to uphold the Constitution rather than the desires of the Park County GOP.

Secondly, the 14th Amendment prevents local Republicans from having any say in how other states conduct their elections. There is no legal standing to demand that our legislators overturn a certified election. You are free to believe anything you wish regarding “stolen elections” but that counts for nothing legally. If it was stolen, prove it in court.

Thirdly, the statement regarding Cheney’s “political allies on the left” is a shameless false flag distraction based on quotes from Ayana Pressley, D-Minn., and then-Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris made in June and August that were taken out of context and circulated on right-wing social media. They actually condemned all rioting and did not donate money to “bail out” those arrested for violence.

The censure document and vote were based on shoddy research reliant upon right-wing propaganda. The contention that the desires of the “majority” outweigh the rights of all is hypocritical and wrong. The Park County GOP caucus can do what it wants, but it does not speak for everyone. Censuring Rep. Cheney is meaningless.

Jim McEvoy

Powell