OPINION:
In a constitutional republic, the public has every right to expect honesty and restraint from its elected leaders. When private citizens distort facts, the damage is limited. When public officials do it, the consequences are far more profound.
A troubling pattern has taken hold in Congress. When certain members come under investigation for potential wrongdoing, their immediate response is to accuse the executive branch of “targeting political enemies.” This reflexive claim is not grounded in constitutional structure. It is a rhetorical shield, one that exploits the public’s limited familiarity with the way the branches of government function.
The Constitution is clear: Congress legislates, the executive enforces and the judiciary adjudicates. None of these branches is exempt from oversight. Yet some officials invoke constitutional language as a political weapon, declaring actions “unconstitutional” simply because they disagree with them or because doing so provides a convenient defense.
This behavior erodes public trust. It confuses citizens who assume their elected representatives understand the Constitution. It also weakens the separation of powers by turning constitutional terms into talking points rather than legal principles.
Public office carries authority, but it also carries responsibility. When officials misuse that authority — through projection, misrepresentation or deliberate distortion — the damage extends far beyond a single controversy. It undermines the civic foundation on which the republic depends.
GARY N. DARBY
Mesa, Arizona
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