Letter to the editor: Former Frelinghuysen staffer sounds off

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.)
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.)
66

Editor’s note: The author asked to share this letter to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.)  It does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

Dear Rodney,

As a student of history, I have long been vexed by the motivations for those who could’ve stopped Hitler and did not. The countless politicians, industry leaders and military officials who stood in his way and then just casually stepped aside allowing him to perpetrate war crimes on a scale that western civilization had not seen up to that point and lead the world into the most destructive war in human history. 

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.)
The author says his former boss, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.), has ‘turned a blind eye towards fascism.’

Was it callousness, anger, hatred, stupidity that motivated them to not say or do anything to stop him?

After observing the actions by you and your fellow members of Congress since Jan. 21, it has become very evident that it is not any of these reasons that causes supposedly good people to turn a blind eye towards fascism. It’s cowardice. Cowardice by those elected to serve all the citizens not just the ones who voted for them. 

I’ve watched you tell high school students that you “haven’t come around to gay marriage being legal yet.” I watched you avoid answering questions about controversial issues like abortion, immigration and almost any other issue with the slightest hint of controversy surrounding it. I thought that the depths of your cowardice ran only that deep.

To watch you stand by idly as Trump signs executive order after executive order marginalizing the most vulnerable in our society…

To observe you say nothing to the constant race-baiting and hate that were hallmarks of his presidential campaign…

To read your e-newsletters where you discuss how Republicans can finally accomplish their legislative goals now they have complete power and then do nothing to speak up when the President subverts the constitutional powers of the legislature by passing unconstitutional executive orders in violation of the basic rights established in the Bill of Rights…

These show that your cowardice runs even deeper than I could have imagined. 

The names of people who enabled fascists throughout history are known not for the tax reforms they passed, the budgets they helped create or the other legislative deals they helped craft. They are remembered in history as those whose personal ambition, cowardice and spinelessness caused them to stand by and do nothing to stop the march of dictators.

Names like von Papen and Chamberlain. People who could’ve been barriers and yet did nothing. In 25 years, when the history books are written do you think your legacy is going to be any different if you don’t stand up to your fellow Republican Donald Trump and his policies? 

I once spoke with pride of working for a United States Congressman. Now I am embarrassed to even tell people I worked for you and crafted your schedule to help you get re-elected time after time.

At the end of the day it is pitiful to think I once worked for a Congressman who can’t even stand up in the face of fascism because of the fear of losing his cushy seat.

I can promise you that I will work tirelessly over the next two years to ensure that a new representative, who actually speaks up for the ideals that this country was founded on, is occupying the Congressional seat for the 11th district in 2018. 

Sincerely, 

Daniel Johnson
Former District Scheduler 
11th Congressional District

Morristown resident Daniel Johnson was a scheduler for Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.) from 2012-2013. He works as a photographer and is a member of NJ 11th for Change.

66 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you. I will continue to call the the Congressman’s phone and remind him that if he does not act, we will find a way to replace him. His job is on the line and we will hold him accountable.

  2. The Rodney Freylinghausen I know has served his country well with intelligence and patriotism ever since his initial service in Vietnam. He is a champion of our military.
    He recognizes that President Trump was elected for
    Cogent reasons and supports him.
    I personally am tired of the “sore losers” and wish they would devote as much energy fixing our country’s problems as they do trying to destroy it.
    I support our Representative.

  3. Rodney is a good man. But it is time to step up to the plate. Steve Bannon is intent on destroying the country and somebody in a Republican leadership position will have to stand up and tell him to get the hell out of the White House.

  4. Frelinghuysen and his Republican companions should slink away in shame, cowards that they are. Their loyalty to the right wing of their national party may be in tact but their souls are in shreds.

  5. The spineless rod has got to go. He has refused to meet with his constituents. He doesn’t represent us. Thank you for taking a stand Daniel! Maybe you should run in his place!

  6. The only hope we have is the Mid Terms. Send the Rep. a message abt how the election after that will go.

  7. ‘For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal

    Thank you Dan for your courage to speak up about Rodney’s silence and lack of courage.

  8. Thank you Daniel. This is especially enlightening coming from a former staffer. I have not paid enough attention to his activities over the years, but he is in my sights now and I have been calling on a weekly basis to demand a town hall meeting and to ask where he stands on bigotry and intolerance. The EO is un-American and will aid our enemies. Republicans like McCain, Graham and Collins and others brave enough to buck the bully will get Democratic support.

  9. Thank you Daniel for speaking out. I forgive you for any time you felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.
    As an activist, I would make calls and or visits to Rodney’s office I can assure you your letter is appreciated and also an act of bravery.
    I always did and still do feel sympathetic to his staff that has had to witness and play party to his avoidance of controversy and avoidance of his constituents concerns.

  10. This is a beautifully stated and impassioned letter. Thank you for having the courage to call out a coward and remind him that there are things more important than his career: the future of this nation and acting in the name of human decency. Anyone who has remained silent as Trump and his henchmen silently disassemble the democracy of this country will be judged accordingly by history.
    Thank you.

  11. Betsey Hall is correct. RF seems to be just coasting on an earlier reputation as a “moderate”, despite having joined the House far-right “Freedom Caucus”. Check his record: one of the least active representatives from NJ, especially lacking in working across party lines. Also note his reluctance to hold public meetings with his constituents. Conclusion: past time for a fresh face

  12. Thank you for speaking up, especially as someone who worked directly for him. There are plenty of moderate, sensible republicans but he is not one of them and is a prime example of the apathy of party leaders. For those who question why Trump won I would point out that Trump lost NJ by 13, lost the popular vote by millions and counting those who voted for third parties, had almost 10 million vote for someone other than him. He won, but to say that is a mandate from the people is not a plausible argument.

  13. Where was the outrage in the days, weeks and months leading up to November 8? Perhaps if members of NJ 11 for change had exercised their voting rights as rigorously as they are now exercising their first amendment rights they could have had a different outcome.

  14. Thank you for a really insightful letter. Hopefully, Rodney will read it. Besides not speaking out against trumps executive orders on the gag rule, the ban on Muslims, the EPA/press releases, etc., Rodney refuses to attend any candidates forum when he runs for office. His cowardice is appalling.

  15. Rep. Frelinghuysen, your constituents are watching. Do the right thing and stand up to the vandals who have taken over your party.

  16. Daniel,
    You give us not your opinion but facts as you lived them. He won’t read this, but we, the constituents of the 11th congressional district, are reading your post. And just as we worked in the 5th district to unseat Garrett, we will be working to replace rf. We have 2 years of diligent work ahead of us. Sanity will/must prevail.

  17. I hope some Republican with insight and conviction comes through and denounces Trump’s deplorable and dangerous agenda. If America’s institutions don’t withstand this administration then people like Rodney Frelinghuysen will go down in history as forgotten rubes rather than be enshrined as courageous guardians.

  18. Thank you for your letter. I have written to the Congressman over 10 times since January 20 and I am still waiting for a reply.

  19. I actually think the fascist analogy is quite apt. My husband and I are currently writing a book that involves a lot of research into the Nazi era, and while there were many deplorables at the time, as well as good-hearted Germans who opposed what Hitler was doing but couldn’t speak out for fear of being murdered by the Gestapo, Nazism succeeded because of those in the middle, perhaps like Rep. Frelinghuysen–who stood silently by because there was something in it for them. Surely as a district we deserve better than that!

  20. Thank you Mr. Johnson for speaking up. I’ve been having the same thoughts lately. This is a time to speak up and not sit idly by. Our National Parks, our environmental protection of our land and waterways are also under attack. The crazy wall idea- opposed by just about every member of the Texas delegation. And of course the recent ban disgracefully signed on Holocaust Memorial Day. I think Rep. Frelinghysen should watch Jared Kushner’s grandmother’s video from the Holocaust Museum (available on line) discussing her immigration experience of coming to America. How have we not learned from history?

  21. Rodney, you have become an embarrassment to your constituents, and the service of your forefathers . You’ve kept your head down and blindly followed the instructions of your House leadership with nary a whimper, let alone challenging any of their actions.

  22. Thank you for speaking your mind. I’m not a fan of Nazi analogies but I agree that Rodney needs to go. The Republicans of New Jersey support small government and fiscal responsibility. The Republican Party of Donald Trump does not share our values and Rodney lacks the spine to stand up to him.

  23. Thank you Dan, wish I could vote for whomever runs against him! I’m in the 5th and we were able to flip our district ousting that awful Scott Garrett for Josh Gottheimer – hope you have the same luck that we had!

  24. Thank you Dan, for your thoughts! Maybe this will be the message to get through to Congressman Frelinghuysen.

  25. Thank you Dan for speaking up. It is time people in the 11 t CD know how passive and unresponsive RF is to those he represents. Time for a change! Let Do It!

  26. Dan thank you for speaking out. I am already hearing from strident Trumpers that they are beginning to see the light.
    Please let me know what I can do to help get new representation in the 11th

  27. I will add another heart felt thank you for this letter. Frelinghuysen and his fellow Republicans are truly on the wrong side of history this time and their callousness toward all Americans including the ones who voted for them. A giant beast has now awakened and we will not rest. We will prevail. Stay strong and united. The midterms are not too far off. Thank you again for your strong voice.

  28. What a frigging loser this Congressman. He never ever takes a stand on anything when called on the phone and never ever does a town-hall with his constituents. Let’s get rid of this loser once and for all!!!!

  29. What an impressive letter! We need our elected representatives to protect our rights and engage in thoughtful discussion. Rodney, you are doing neither. Shame on you! Show you want the job you have and stand up for the people of New Jersey pr start looking for a new job.

  30. I have been calling Rep Frelinghuysen every week since the election. I have never received a reply. For the past week his phone goes directly to voicemail, which is full so I have not been able to leave a message. You work for us, Sir, please respond to our requests for answers. And I hope with all my heart that those answers will be honorable and reflect the *true* spirit of America in the face of injustice, regardless of partisan politics.

  31. Daniel Johnson, thank you for raising your voice, and for your vivid personal perspective. And Rep. Frelinghuysen, these are not business-as-usual times. It is imperative that courage and integrity take precedence over party orthodoxy — now.

  32. I have met Congressman Frelinghuysen when he came to my school. He was professional, non-partisan and I truly admired the man who made sure students knew about the process of government or met the next commander of a space shuttle. That is why I so surprised and dismayed that this man has remained silent on issues that I know he believes to be wrong. Are party politics so binding that you can not speak up for what you have to know in your heart is wrong.

  33. Dan,
    You are brave to give us your opinion. Rodney has never been our champion. He has never been accessible nor accountable. He has his own agenda and it’s all he’s interested in. Unfortunately, many of the voters in CD11 think he is a moderate. He is “TEA PARTY. ” Don’t forget it.

  34. I got so excited to see confirmation of what I already knew, I tweeted it. He’ll see it, and I’ll forward it again and again. He needs to go.

  35. I am devastated to see how many of our representatives have to chosen to remain silent in one of the most dangerous times in our nation’s history. Congressman, your support of this destruction of our norms and values tells us all we need to know.

  36. Thank you for your honesty and bravery for stating the truth. RF needs to know he has a sizable number of constituents who are watching his every action and are noticing that he is not standing up to the fascist demagoguery that has taken over our government.

  37. attention “Lord Rodney” the Republican con game is over. your base is crumbling, your leadership evaporating rapidly,I’ve seen a call for your resignation. Please adhere to the call for resignation as your term has more than expired. Representation has always meant country before party. You have failed your mandate.

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