Let us note that our congressman, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, came out strongly in favor of the appointment of a special counsel to investigate what involvement, if any, President Trump or his associates had with Russian officials.
"Given the number and severity of the claims that have arisen -- and the fact that these claims are coming from anonymous sources and the media, it's important the American people now get the facts from an independent investigation. They deserve the truth."
John Boozman, the state's senior U.S. senator, also backed appointment of a special counsel.
While we're at it, let us note as well that the two men's strong backing for the special counsel emerged right after the U.S. Department of Justice appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller to serve as said special counsel.
That's what you call jumping aboard the train after it has left the station.
It wasn't all that long ago Womack deflected calls at a Town Hall meeting to investigate Trump and the possible connections of his campaign to Russia. "You guys just want to investigate everybody. Well, some--" Womack said before jeers from the crowd prompted a pause.
He also in one interview he felt House and Senate committees investigating the Russia connections are "quite capable of getting to the truth" and he would leave it to others to determine whether a special counsel was necessary.
From this point, we suppose Womack and Boozman will say they supported appointment of a special counsel to investigate. But, of course, timing matters. The support for a special counsel -- undoubtedly needed given Trump's behaviors as president related to the investigations -- would be more impressive had it come from a position of leadership rather than one of reaction.
Better late than never.
Commentary on 05/21/2017