Ben McAdams joined Lee Lonsberry to talk about his suicide prevention bill. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News, Oct. 3, 2019)
MIDVALE – Representative Ben McAdams feels the heat at a town hall meeting, with people demanding he state whether or not he supported the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. He says he supports it and claims his position is the same as ever.
The town hall meeting in Midvale was intended to be about health care and other issues. However, McAdams knew many people wanted to know about his stance on the inquiry into the president. He made an opening statement where he called out President Trump for asking other countries to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden.
McAdams says, “The president’s actions, yesterday, as well as the allegations that he has abused his power and harmed our national security for his own gain, are serious.”
That statement didn’t go far enough for some attendants, like Jaime Zayach. She demanded to know if McAdams backs the inquiry. She believes there is enough evidence to cause McAdams to make a decision.
“What’s he waiting for? The proof is there. We know what’s there,” she says, adding, “[President Trump] has people going to the Ukraine. He’s got people going to Italy and to Australia. Are you kidding me? Are you all OK with this?”
She accused McAdams of straddling the fence on the inquiry.
“He absolutely is. I think he’s concerned about his reelection and I think he needs to take a stand,” Zayach says.
McAdams responded, “I’ve always supported fact finding, and I have not hesitated to call out and say that the allegations are serious.”
However, he says the inquiry and the act of voting to impeach the president are two separate things. While he supports the inquiry, he won’t commit to a vote on impeachment, yet.
He says, “I pledge to remain objective and will reserve final judgment until that process concludes.”
Meanwhile, McAdams says lawmakers in Washington need to get back to doing the other work they’re supposed to do.
“We cannot allow this issue to paralyze a Washington that is already low on results,” he says.