Chairman Comer’s Masterclass in Weaponizing a Congressional Committee
The investigation of Tim Walz as a Communist sympathizer.
Over the weekend, I read that Chairman James Comer (R-KY) of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has announced an investigation of Tim Walz’s relationship with China and organizations associated with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). I see the investigation as an abuse of the Congressional power to investigate and a prime example of the weaponization of the government, something Donald Trump regularly rails against.
I wrote an editorial for my Medium magazine earlier today. Here is a link to the piece. Access to it is free.
Politics, Congress
Chairman Comer’s Masterclass in Weaponizing a Congressional Committee
The investigation of Tim Walz as a communist sympathizer.
When Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, the Trump campaign knew it had a problem. The governor was too likable. He was a veteran, a schoolteacher, married a schoolteacher and was a man of modest means. He also had an infectious smile and was dubbed “America’s Dad.”
Something had to be done. Walz’s brand needed to be destroyed. The Trump campaign was experienced in the tactic. Under the skillful hand of Kellyanne Conway, Hillary Clinton’s email server became a campaign issue supported by cries of “Lock Her Up!” at Trump rallies. The Benghazi attacks were also investigated as a failure on Secretary of State Clinton’s part.
It took only a couple of weeks, but House Committee on Oversight and Investigation Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is on the case. He has announced a wide-ranging investigation into “the Chinese entities and officials Governor Walz has engaged and partnered with, as well as any warnings or advice the FBI may have given to Governor Walz about U.S. political figures being targeted by or recruited for CCP influence operations.”
Comer, in a letter to FBI director Wray, writes:
It has come to the Committee’s attention that Governor Walz has longstanding connections to CCP-connected entities and officials that make him susceptible to the Party’s strategy of elite capture, which seeks to co-opt influential figures in elite political, cultural, and academic circles to influence the United States to the benefit of the communist regime and the detriment of Americans. Reporting about Governor Walz’s extensive engagement with CCP officials and entities while serving in public office raises questions about possible CCP influence in his decision-making as governor — and should he be elected, as vice president.
A schedule for hearings on Walz’s “longstanding connections” to communist organizations has not been announced but will likely be before election day. Will the Subcommittee subpoena Governor Walz? Will documents produced by the FBI in response to Comer’s broad document request be released to “prove” Walz is a communist sympathizer?
The Comer investigation of Walz follows inquiries into “The Biden Crime Family,” “Biden Influence Peddling,” and “The Biden Border Crisis.” That says a lot.
The Walz investigation is a prime example of the “weaponization of the federal government,” but the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government is unlikely to question the legitimacy or need to investigate Governor Walz. Jim Jordan (R-OH) chairs the Committee. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is a member.
Chairman Comer’s announcement of the investigation follows a Donald Trump speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he called Kamala Harris a “socialist lunatic” and accused her of going “full Communist.” The ghost of Joseph McCarthy must have been smiling.
Dare I say the investigation is a waste of Congress’ time and an abuse of power? The 118th Congress has passed fewer laws than any Congress in recent memory. Through August 8, only 78 laws have been passed. Appropriations bills remain unpassed. Important oversight work on subjects such as addressing climate change remains undone. When the history of the 188th Congress is written, it will be about things like abuse of power rather than legislation.
Chairman Comer's investigation of Walz will not be the last example of the weaponization of Congress before election day. As the Trump campaign struggles to regain its footing in the wake of the Democrats’ change of nominee, it will revert to the strategy that won Trump the White House in 2016 — character assassination.
When the 118th Congress adjourns, the Walz investigation will be forgotten because it would never have started had Harris not chosen Walz as her running mate. The impact of the investigation, however, will be longer-lasting. The credibility of Congress as “the People’s House” that focuses on translating the needs and aspirations of citizens into legislation has been undermined. There is only one citizen demanding an investigation of Walz — Donald Trump.
Should Congress again become functional, or at least quasi-functional, the House rules should be amended to ban abuses of investigative authority. Congressional power is weakened when it is weaponized, period.
© 2024 John Dean, all rights reserved.