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NJ Congressman Attempts to get Constituent Fired

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Penultimate Amazing
S
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
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This is so messed up.

The most powerful congressman in New Jersey, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, wrote a fundraising letter in March to the board member of a local bank, warning him that a member of an activist group opposing the Republican worked at his bank.

The employee was questioned and criticized for her involvement in NJ 11th for Change, a group that formed after the election of Donald Trump and has been pressuring Frelinghuysen to meet with constituents in his district and oppose the Trump agenda.

“Needless to say, that did cause some issues at work that were difficult to overcome,” said Saily Avelenda of West Caldwell, New Jersey, who was a senior vice president and assistant general counsel at the bank before she resigned. She says the pressure she received for her political involvement was one of several reasons she decided to leave.
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NoahFence said:
It's a pretty clear abuse of power. Fine with you people though, isn't it?
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I would say it is not something I would approve of but how is it a abuse of power? He pointed out something that was public knowledge.

The bank on the other hand should have had no right to bother her about it unless she used her position or title in the group.

I sense a lawsuit brewing.
 
eeyore1954 said:
I would say it is not something I would approve of but how is it a abuse of power? He pointed out something that was public knowledge.

The bank on the other hand should have had no right to bother her about it unless she used her position or title in the group.

I sense a lawsuit brewing.
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I'm not sure it's abuse of power either, but it's certainly problematic that a congressman tries to get a donor to rid themselves of a person the congressman has a problem with (let's not kid ourselves - that's what this was about).
 
uke2se said:
I'm not sure it's abuse of power either, but it's certainly problematic that a congressman tries to get a donor to rid themselves of a person the congressman has a problem with (let's not kid ourselves - that's what this was about).
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What am I missing? How is that not an abuse of power?
 
uke2se said:
I'm not sure it's abuse of power either, but it's certainly problematic that a congressman tries to get a donor to rid themselves of a person the congressman has a problem with (let's not kid ourselves - that's what this was about).
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It's an attempted assault on free speech by a government official. It's very troubling.
 
Looks like an attempt by a government official to retaliate against someone for exercising their first amendment rights. Not good, possibly unconstitutional. What's the point of having first amendment rights if the government can contact your employer in a clear attempt to silence you.
 
newyorkguy said:
Looks like an attempt by a government official to retaliate against someone for exercising their first amendment rights. Not good, possibly unconstitutional. What's the point of having first amendment rights if the government can contact your employer in a clear attempt to silence you.
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That is true. It's most likely unconstitutional. Now, is there impeachment procedures against a congressman, or is there another mechanism at play?
 
uke2se said:
That is true. It's most likely unconstitutional. Now, is there impeachment procedures against a congressman, or is there another mechanism at play?
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A congressman can be expelled if 2/3 of his chamber agrees. So it is not going to happen.
 
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