Pearce and Herrell need myth busters, and now

IN A Notebook piece (by the Journal’s Ryan Boetel) in the Sunday (Jan. 17) Journal, Steve Pearce paints himself into a corner. This is what happens when you knowingly propagate lies in the hopes of gaining power.

In answering why he turned down opportunities to speak on national cable programs about the election, he claims he doesn’t respect people who publicly “go out and throw out hypotheses in front of the press on volatile issues.” But it’s fine to throw out these hypotheses on local radio, which he did. In other words, it’s OK to lie at home.

He then goes on to repeat all the spurious conspiracies that have threatened the very existence of our republic.

Yvette Herrell, likewise, gave this justification for promoting lies and smearing our elections by voting against certification: “As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, it is my duty to give the people a voice and ensure that legitimate concerns over the integrity of the presidential election are thoroughly heard and examined.”

First, the concerns about the integrity of the election were never legitimate. They were fabrications of a president who made it clear he would never accept the results of an election he lost.

Second, Trump’s accusations were thoroughly heard and examined. In lawsuits all around the country, Trump was given the opportunity to present evidence of fraud. Time and again, judges — including Trump appointees — concluded there was nothing there. (Former) Attorney General William Barr, who was often willing to push constitutional boundaries to help Trump, said there was no evidence of fraud.

Republican governors and election officials declared free and fair elections in their states. For the sake of New Mexico and the country, I implore Pearce and Herrell to stop being employees of the myth. The truth matters.

MOISÉS GONZÁLEZ Albuquerque