Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) is being ridiculed and criticized by his fellow California Republicans for suing his own constituents in his congressional district.
Nunes has been in a frenzy of lawsuits lately. He sued Twitter over people making fun of him, and he sued McClatchy, the parent of the Fresno Bee newspaper. Nunes was angered when the Bee reported on his involvement with a winery busted for a fundraiser that allegedly involved drugs and prostitution.
The latest lawsuit “is Nunes’ third in which he alleges that political consultants conspired against him to damage his chances for re-election last year,” McClatchy reported on Thursday.
Nunes is suing four Californians, including retired farmer Paul Buxman, who told the paper he voted for Nunes in the past.
“There seems to be no strategy other than to attack his enemies,” Republican consultant Kevin Spillane told McClatchy. “He should focus on working his district and stay out of the politics of Washington, D.C.”
Spillane also told the outlet that the lawsuit does not help the growing belief that Nunes is increasingly disconnected from his district’s concerns, as Democrats have noted.
Nunes has positioned himself in the last two years as one of Trump’s most visible allies and defenders. He has regularly made the rounds on cable news speaking up in Trump’s defense.
In exchange, Trump has frequently mentioned him on Twitter.
“I don’t know what there is to gain here,” Republican consultant Carl Fogliani said of the lawsuit to McClatchy.
“He wants to put the muzzle on anyone who stands up to challenge him,” Democratic businessman Phil Arballo, who is considering challenging Nunes, told the outlet.
In a speech in front of Nunes office, Arballo said, “A sitting member of congress is suing his own constituents. This is outrageous, Rep. Nunes is unhinged.”
Nunes has consumed himself with defending Trump and frequently becoming the butt of jokes and ridicule as a result. Now, through the legal system, he is lashing out at critics, but there are already signs that it is backfiring.
Published with permission of The American Independent.
