To the Journal editor:

What’s up with Jack Bergman? For years, his press releases primarily concerned themselves with issues affecting our district, things that should be a core responsibility of a congressional representative regardless of party. Nothing too controversial. 

But a May 22 Mining Journal article highlights a recent Bergman post that suddenly acknowledged his support of the America First and MAGA movements. And even more disquieting, it provided strong evidence that he would rather do the bidding of President Donald Trump than to represent the people of his district. It may help him win in the upcoming Republican primary, but it makes it difficult, if not impossible, for him to swerve back toward the political middle for the November election (as) his statement was too definitive. With his post, Bergman alienates a huge percentage of his constituency, including the independents he needs for a win in a general election. If this was a strategy to improve his chances, I fear he’s blundered bigly.

Bergman’s voting record has already largely agreed with the president’s wishes. With his May 20 post, however, he went even further to pledge complete loyalty to Trump. He called out Republicans who have the courage to oppose Trump’s agenda or reject his endorsements, and suggested that Republicans who do so, should “step aside.” From now on, Mr. Bergman must march in lockstep with Donald Trump, otherwise, by his own logic, he should be among those who “step aside.”

That means Congressman Bergman must show deference to the autocratic rulers of adversaries like Russia and China, while snubbing the leaders of democratic allies like Canada, Germany, England and Denmark. He must favor unpredictable tariffs that hurt our economy and a war with Iran that was started without consultation (with) Congress and has pushed gas prices close to (its) all-time high. Mr. Bergman must promote the idea that rich people and corporations deserve tax cuts while many of his constituents can no longer afford health insurance. He must now believe that the 2020 election was stolen and the Jan. 6 rioters who pummeled police officers deserve reparations rather than prison.

The idea that Republicans cannot oppose any of these without being considered anti-Trump is certainly not in keeping with the spirit of Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan. We prefer politicians who are not afraid to take a stand. One such individual is state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, who chaired the November 2020 Election Oversight Committee. His committee found “that citizens should be confident the results represent the true results of the ballots cast by the people of Michigan.” Of course, Donald Trump accused Mr. McBroom of lying and called his report a “cover-up.” But Sen. McBroom, despite substantial arm-twisting, stood strong and did the right thing.

We deserve those types of leaders–brave people who, under pressure, exhibit sisu, rather than giving in to a bully. Given Jack Bergman’s recent post, however, I am convinced he is not capable of that.