By Billy Hallowell
“Truth is truth.” That’s just one of the mantras embraced by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who represents Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.
It was Herrera Beutler’s quest for truth, rooted in her Christian faith, that she said compelled her to buck the Republican Party line last month and vote to impeach former president Donald Trump — a decision that has sparked frustration among some constituents.
But the congresswoman told the “Edifi With Billy Hallowell” podcast that she stands by her decision to put truth above politics, adding that the hardest part about the political dilemmas plaguing America right now is “seeing so many people who know better not live it out.”
“I’m just honest enough to believe that truth is truth,” she said. “Truth actually overcomes fear.”
Herrera Beutler said she understands people’s fear and frustration after Trump’s loss — emotions that are driving some to turn to harsh political rebukes and rhetoric. But she also offered a rare perspective among political leaders: that faith must be the antecedent to everything else.
Listen to Herrera Beutler reveal why she voted to impeach Trump:
The congresswoman’s message is particularly pertinent amid ongoing discussions and debates over the proper place for politics in Christians’ lives.
“There is no king but king Jesus. … when anybody or anything creeps onto the throne in your heart, don’t be surprised if God Almighty shakes it,” she said. “We’re the salt and the light and if we lose our saltiness, what good are we?”
Herrera Beutler’s take on Trump, politics, and faith is unique for a plethora of reasons. First and foremost, she’s among those who believe there were “problems with the way the elections happened” in places like Georgia and Pennsylvania. She also voted for Trump in 2020.
But the events surrounding the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol changed everything. Herrera Beutler said she turned to her faith in the wake of the insurrection, rather than relying on a political blueprint — and falling prey to personal re-election fears.
“When I looked at the day’s events, the things I lived through … I talked to primary sources myself. I tried reaching out to the White House as it was happening, saying, ‘The president needs to get on the TV,’” she said. “Ultimately, it came down to a set of facts.”
