OPINION: Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers

Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers.

In 2020, numerous anti-government militias plotted to kidnap and/or kill elected officials in at least three states, and these activities reached their zenith at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. All of these involved members of the Oath Keepers, an anti-government group that West Point Combating Terrorism Center labels as a terrorist organization.

Alaska Rep. David Eastman proudly stands by his membership in and involvement with the Oath Keepers, and his participation at the attack on the Capitol. Eastman routinely champions both vigilante justice and the attempt to overturn the 2020 elections. If a lawmaker in a democratic government is willing to subvert and destroy the democratic traditions upon which our society is built, and gives tacit support to domestic terrorist groups, is he or she fit to serve?

The members of Restoring Honor, a non-partisan, unaffiliated group of more than 1,000 West Point alumni say, “No.”

West Point alumni, such as David Eastman, made a commitment to a lifetime of service and to uphold the ideals of the West Point motto: “Duty, Honor, Country”. However, Eastman’s direct support and involvement with a domestic terrorist organization and his overt advocacy of white supremacist views are in direct opposition to the ideals of his alma mater. Eastman clouds his insidious and un-American beliefs by using his status as a United States Military Academy graduate and veteran as a political smokescreen.

Eastman’s own words, from his foreshadowing of attacks on the Capitol, to quoting Adolf Hitler days before he denounced findings that the 2020 elections were free and fair, indicate his disdain for democratic traditions. In fact, his article that celebrates the anniversary of Jan. 6, makes it clear that he sees nothing wrong with using violence to overturn free and fair elections.

Rep. Eastman is clearly willing to stand by those that have engaged in multiple attempts to intimidate and threaten other states’ governments, and overthrow the federal government. What will he endorse if the elections this November do not go his way? Will the lawmaker continue to encourage, support and provide succor to the lawbreakers?

Now is the time to unite and protect our democratic republic. Like Eastman, the members of Restoring Honor took the federal oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.” Alaska’s oath of office, also taken by Eastman, reaffirms that commitment. Through his continued support of violent terrorists and his thinly veiled espousal of fascist ideology, David Eastman has and continues to violate his oaths. Legislators, please stand with us in condemning David Eastman’s gross misconduct, and we urge you to take appropriate actions to cull his influence from your chambers.

Maj. Gen. (Retired) Paul Eaton, Class of 1972; Brig. Gen. (Retired) Steven Anderson, Class of 1978; Lt. Col. (Retired) John C. Storbeck, Class of 1978; Bonnie Schweppe, Class of 1983; Donna Matturro McAleer, Class of 1987; Candace (Vernold) Regan, Class of 1990; Jason Hoffman, Class of 1992; and Lt. Col. (Retired) Eric Balough, Class of 2001, are graduates of the U.S. Military Academy and members of Restoring Honor, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of more than 1,000 West Point alumni. This commentary was submitted to all members of the Alaska House of Representatives in mid-February.

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