Letter to the editor: Republicans' Schmitt show

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 10.22.26 

Is the U.S. Senate once again where a witch-hunt went to die? In the 1950s, Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-WI) smeared thousands of innocent people as Communists. McCarthy even accused the U.S. Army of being “soft” on Communism. 

At a 1954 Senate hearing, McCarthy met his match in the Army’s lawyer, Joseph Welch. A frustrated McCarthy accused a young associate in Welch’s firm of communist sympathies. Welch replied, “Until this moment, Senator, I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” 

The audience burst into sustained applause. McCarthy’s grip was finally broken. Censured by the Senate, McCarthy spiraled into alcoholism and died in disgrace. 

In September, Republican senators held another witch-hunt to smear Special Counsel Jack Smith, who testified that his investigation “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that ... President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results” of the 2020 election “and prevent the lawful transfer of power.” 

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) insinuated that Smith attended a Hawks’ basketball game in Atlanta on Feb. 3, 2024, to conspire with Atlanta prosecutor Fani Willis to “get” Trump. Smith denied the conspiracy, denied meeting Willis, and denied attending the game. Schmitt called him a perjurer and “a total dirtbag.” 

In fact, Smith was videotaped that night at an Iowa Hawkeyes game in Tacoma Park, Maryland. When Schmitt’s confusion of “Hawks” with “Hawkeyes” was exposed, he was too cruel and reckless to apologize. 

Jan. 6 was an assault on American democracy. Republicans condoned Trump’s pardon of 1,270 people convicted in the riot he incited — including 1,009 who pleaded guilty. More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured. One died the next day. Four committed suicide. 

An Oct. 1 AP-NORC poll found that 65% of Americans blame Trump’s policies for their cost-of-living crisis. Republicans who rubber-stamped those policies want to distract you with culture wars and character assassination. Disgusted voters are left to ask, “Have you no sense of decency, at long last?” 

Linda McConnell Baker 

Leland