Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI-3) wrote some scathing words about pro-trump republicans in these 3 tweets on Memorial Day. I am not familiar with Meijer’s politics, but these are strong and gutsy words - speaking out against his own party and many of its supporters, calling them “treacherous snakes” and “craven demagogues.” His words are not just aimed at trump and his supporters, who are “waxing patriotic while salivating for civil war”, they are also aimed at his holier-than-thou craven republican colleagues “who’d burn it all down if it meant more power or profit for them.”
In a few short sentences, he has very eloquently captured the essence of the modern republican party.
About Peter Meijer
Peter Meijer (/ˈmaɪ.ər/) is a freshman in Congress, born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. He is the grandson of supermarket chain founder Frederik Meijer, whose parents emigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. Forbes has recognized his family as one of the wealthiest in Michigan. Peter is only 33 years old.
Meijer won the seat vacated by Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party in July 2019. Meijer defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Scholten 53%-47%. Meijer had the support of the trump-led republican establishment, but it also clear that he does not toe the party line.
His bio at meijer.house.gov shows that Meijer is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan
In 2010, Peter deployed to Iraq as a non-commissioned officer, setting aside his studies to serve with an intelligence unit at joint US-Iraqi bases in the Baghdad area.
After returning from Iraq in 2011 and finishing his studies at Columbia University, Peter joined Team Rubicon, a veteran-based disaster response organization. With Team Rubicon, Peter led humanitarian efforts in South Sudan dealing with a refugee crisis. He also led operations in New York after Superstorm Sandy, Oklahoma after a series of devastating tornadoes, and in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Yolanda.
While in the Philippines, Peter accepted a job with a conflict analysis NGO in Afghanistan,. On Christmas Day 2013 he arrived in Kabul and advised the aid community there on the safety and security issues critical to their mission.
Peter ran the NGO’s advisory operations in southern Afghanistan from Kandahar City, managing a large team to help aid workers safely deliver much-needed assistance to the Afghan people. Peter last served as acting Deputy Director for Afghanistan, delivering emergency assistance to aid workers after kidnappings and targeted killings.
After leaving Afghanistan, Peter pursued his MBA at New York University then returned to Michigan to work in urban redevelopment and real estate.
Meijer in Congress
Meijer was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump during Trump's 2nd impeachment. Meijer has been vocally critical about MJT's statements comparing wearing face masks to the Holocaust. Meijer is one of 35 Republicans who voted to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission. Here are a set of tweets about the Jan 6 commission legislation -
But Meijer is no liberal if he seriously thinks that meager unemployment benefits stop people from returning to work.
So, he is probably conservative on many issues, but he has lot more honesty and integrity than the average republican lawmaker today.
Epilogue
Now, you may be wondering why we are highlighting the words of a republican lawmaker here at DK. Aren’t they all “treacherous snakes?” That may be so, but there is hope that there are a few republicans who have not surrendered their souls to the trump movement and who have the courage to stand up to the party. The country will certainly benefit from a few good men and women like these. Actions by people like Meijer could provide the spark of courage needed by others to stand up against the corruption of their own party.
Should we lend some support to Peter Meijer who will certainly be targeted by the trump mob and the republican establishment? I think so (I do not mean support him in the general election against a Democrat, he ain’t no Liberal). Quite likely, he will be primaried out in 2020. He could survive as an Independent.
Even if we are distrustful of republicans like Meijer, this is an opportunity to widen the fissure within the republican party, which is good for us Democrats and good for the rest of the civilized world. Let’s spread these words far and wide and let’s hope that they drive a few more people away from the MAGA party.
What do you think?