House Republicans have finally taken a page out of the Democratic political playbook in how to fight fire with fire. Or rather in this instance, impeachment with impeachment.
The resolution to impeach Biden’s controversial ATF nominee David Chipman, while symbolic in nature, forewarns moderate Democrats (and perhaps a RINO or two) that House Republicans are united in their opposition to the 55-year old anti-2nd Amendment activist.
The effort spearheaded by Rep. Matt Rosendale from Montana to impeach coincides with at least 5-moderate Democrats still undecided on whether to confirm or reject Biden’s pick.
“The confirmation of David Chipman to the ATF would be a direct threat to the second amendment rights of Americans and the rule of law,” Rosendale said in a statement about his impeachment resolution. “Not only has Chipman previously given false testimony to Congress, but his statements on gun-control are evidence that his confirmation would be a failure to support and defend our constitutional rights, if appointed, both are impeachable offenses and worthy of Congress to consider his removal.”
Chipman has a long history of working with gun control activists, attempting to restrict legal gun owners from owning certain firearms and infringing on their Second Amendment rights.
The resolution to impeach is a new tactic for Republicans, who seldom use the legislative process as a political tool. However during the Trump-era impeachment craze, House Democrats used the solemn process of impeachment as their “go too” tactic in an effort to undo the 2016 election, by any means necessary.
Although Chipman nomination advanced on a party-line vote out of the Senate Judiciary Committee almost a month ago the White House has yet to move forward.
Biden’s radical ATF nominee David Chipman hates 2A supporters so much he makes fun of them as “tiger kings” on national TV and dismisses gun ownership as being for “the zombie apocalypse.” #StopChipman @SenatorTester @Sen_JoeManchin pic.twitter.com/yYtoSJbqiv
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 21, 2021
Rosendale’s impeachment resolution includes two articles, one alleging that Chipman has failed to “support and defend” the Second Amendment, which is a vital part of our Founding document written within the Constitution. Also a second that he lied to Congress when he denied allegations he lost his service weapon when he served as an ATF agent.
During the confirmation hearing senators inquired about the service weapon controversy, in which staffers on the committee attempted to verify Chipman’s story regarding whether he lied to congress concerning the lose of his service revolver. Thus far the claim that he lost his weapon cannot be verified.
Meanwhile Rosendale’s the impeachment resolution is gaining momentum with 11 Republican co-sponsors signing on, including thus far; Reps. Bob Good, R-Va.; Jeff Duncan, R-S.C.; Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; Ralph Norman, R-S.C.; Jody Hice, R-Ga.; Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn.; Scott Perry, R-Pa.; Alex Mooney, R-W.Va.; Andy Harris, R-Md.; Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.; and Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.
Moderate Maine Republican, Senator Susan Collins came out against confirming Chipman several weeks ago, calling him “unusually divisive” and saying he’s “made statements that demean law-abiding gun owners.”
Another Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah also seemed to echo Collins disapproval of Chipman’s remarks “the sort of thing that’s reserved for bad post-apocalyptic dystopian novels and movies.”
Thus far the White House is still hopeful that their beleaguered nominee will be confirmed by the Senate. However, Chipman has come under fire from a number of law enforcement agencies, and in particular from former members of the ATF.
Michael Sullivan the former Director of the ATF didn’t mince any words regarding Chipman’s qualifications.
“I am concerned that somebody who has taken such a strong and hostile position against the Second Amendment, as well as gun owners and some of the most popular firearms in the United States, would be viewed as a political leader for an agency that, I think, has worked extremely hard to build the American public confidence in its handling of interpreting both the Gun Control Act and the various regulations around it.”
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