DEAR EDITOR:

Recently I sent a great concern of mine to Republican Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno via hsuted.senate.gov and moreno.senate.gov.

I wrote: Vice President JD Vance said that the ICE agent who fatally shot the woman in Minneapolis is doing a very important job for the United States of America and deserves a debt of gratitude. The debt of gratitude the president paid to the officers that were injured at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was to pardon their assailants. One guy supposedly defending himself warrants praise while an entire police force defending our Capitol is shown total disdain.

The response from Bernie Moreno in part was: Thank you for reaching out to my office and sharing your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable as we work together to address the issues that matter most to Ohio. I ran for office because I was tired of career politicians that cared only about getting reelected. I understand I work for you. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to represent Ohio and I work very hard every day to do the best job I possibly can.

I am committed to listening to your concerns and ensuring that your voice is heard in Washington. Every message I receive helps me better understand the needs and priorities of our constituents. We may not always agree, but I want you to know that I respect your passion, your point of view, and your desire to make our great country even better.

The response from Jon Husted in part was: I recognize the difficult and often dangerous circumstances faced by law enforcement officers and first responders, who are called upon to make split-second decisions in dangerous situations. I also recognize that Ohioans may be frustrated with ongoing immigration enforcement actions. I encourage those who wish to express their concerns to do so safely and lawfully, through public discourse, the courts and organized protest, and refrain from interfering with active law enforcement operations.

No reference to J6 by these representatives. Ignoring inconvenient truths has become the new normal. To paraphrase a perceptive man, in this political environment “all cops are treated equal, but some are treated more equal than others.” Just look at how the longstanding guidance meant to respect constitutional limits on government searches and the use of force has evidently changed for federal law enforcement. If local law enforcement bypasses constitutional protections it is strictly scrutinized and often deemed unlawful by local courts, risking officer discipline by their department. Ask if that is the case at your next “Coffee with a Cop” event.

KIM R. KOTHEIMER

Poland