This week, my congressman, Erik Paulsen, polled his constituents by e-mail: “Do you believe President Trump should order Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller?” His constituents have asked him this same question and gotten mixed messages. His last public statement was in May 2017, when the Star Tribune reported: “Rep. Erik Paulsen calls for independent investigation into Russian interference.” Yet on Monday, in an invitation-only conference call, he said, “The Mueller probe should finish out to its conclusion, you know, and just be done. The independent counsel should conclude.” Then he was asked about the idea of Trump firing Mueller. “When I think it’s going to be an inhibitor” to economic policy and tax reform goals, he said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” This is a political strategy, not a statement of principles.
On March 28, I met with Paulsen to ask him about this issue. He referred me to his statement from last year. I reminded him that he could help pass the Special Counsel Integrity Act by signing a discharge petition. He assured me there would be a political firestorm if Mueller were fired, but when I pressed him on how he would personally react, he made no promises.
Now he is polling his constituents? He should have the courage to answer this question himself. We want to know what our representative thinks is right, not what he believes is politically advantageous.
Mary Salit, Plymouth
Star Tribune, May 10, 2018