24 Jun 1997 Abuse of Power… Now It’s the Secret Service

The following letter was sent by Representative Matt Salmon (R-AZ) to his colleagues in the House of Representatives on June 24, 1997.

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives

June 24, 1997

Dear Colleague:

The First Lady was in Arizona yesterday to raise money for the Democratic Party. Nothing wrong with that. But consider the following, reported by Tribune Newspapers of Arizona in today’s editions (emphasis added):

“Reporters at the Monday afternoon speech were kept at arm’s length from the first lady by Secret Service agents, who warned the press not to yell out questions.”

President Bill Clinton has a history of using government resources for his own ends (and I am not referring to Arkansas State Troopers). He has misued the IRS, the FBI, the Justice Department, Air Force One, the INS, and the Commerce Department to advance his political interests, at the expense of the public good.

Now it appears he has targeted the Secret Sergice to silence his critics.

The Secret Service is paid to protect the President and his family from physical harm, not to protect them from tough questions from Sam Donaldson and Helen Thomas.

The abuse of power continues…

Sincerely,

Matt Salmon
Member of Congress