To the editor:

Recently former Republican Chief of Staff John Kelly was quoted as saying that President Donald Trump should not hire a “yes man” to replace Kelly. Trump of course ignored this excellent advice and is now under investigation for committing the illegal act of using his position as president to withhold our tax dollars authorized by Congress to ask a vulnerable foreign country to give him political dirt on Democratic rival Joe Biden. This is a violation of our laws, which prohibit anyone from soliciting or accepting anything of value from a foreign entity in regard to a U.S. election. Based on his recent op-ed in the Topeka Capital-Journal, Rep. Steve Watkins has joined the ranks of “yes men” who are supporting this illegal behavior. Watkins says he wants transparency in the impeachment process. If so, he should have voted for the recently passed resolution that gives Republicans the opportunity to call witnesses, release depositions to the public and cross-examine others in open testimony. His actions show the hypocrisy of his position. We need independent, honest voices representing Kansas. All Kansans regardless of party should want this.

Barbara Petty,

Tecumseh