Great column. I thought Senator Grassley was an embarrassment way back on the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearing. Look at how that turned out. Grassley has now thrown Iowa in the ditch. Stand up to Trump.
Thank you, Mary. He hasn’t been on the right track for a long time, and the resulting damage has been very real. Clarence Thomas is a good case in point.
My maternal grandmother taught English to Grassley, and my mom went on 1 date with him. Both my Mom and G’ma did not agree with anything he represented!!! And would never have voted for him! Iowa has a lot of work to do!!!
My Grandma had an autographed photo of him, when he was up and coming in Iowa. Kind of funny now after all these years! I think the photo was filed in the circular file! I am tempted to move back to DSM to turn Iowa Blue!!
Inexcusable that Grassley speaks of impeachment for judges who buck the Administration! He’s blocked impeachment of Trump twice. He cannot redeem himself. No lifeline is left.
Anger can do a lot to unite. That’s why Republicans spend so much time creating enemies/boogeymen. Their over reach will likely cause that dynamic to come into play against them. The town hall crowds suggest it may be starting.
Hope you’re right! I still wish Amy Klobuchar could get enough backers. So sensible and bright and down to earth.Here’s a question: if the government were to have shutdown, would the federal courts have closed? If so that would have been a disaster in itself. ……Apparently they would just slow down, especially on civil side. Still not great.
At some point, as is always the case with/Republicans they will over reach. One would think they have already done would qualify for that description, but Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security may be the final straws. Hopefully, these angry town halls are just the start of general public, forceful push back.
If they overreach, just how can Democrats get those angry voters ( moderate or MAGA) to vote for Democrats? I don’t foresee many independents or Republicans voting for AOC brand Democrats. The Democrats worry me. Need to pull together rather than apart.
Yes and now major universities and DC law firm (only one?) are capitulating to the Administration. Very frightening. Trump might as well burn down the Reichstag.
What do you think will happen when they cut Medicaid??
Because Hampton is up in our neck of the woods, we had a few locals attend his one hour-long town hall that had only been publicly posted one day prior.
A significant irony was his celebratory wave when exiting the building - like is he completely tone deaf and had he paid attention at all?
Maybe his memorabilia in the future will be tucked inside a closet hidden in an innocuous state building; no one will really care about it or him.
Linda's husband, Jim, here: Chuck Grassley’s rise and fall in political stature will be the result of him falling into that age old problem of self-anointing his self-righteous superiority. No doubt, there were days past when the Senator was dedicated and dutifully stood up and called out the highest-rolling political power brokers, people whose typical character trademark (i.e. blatantly talking out of both sides of their mouths) marked them as very suspicious people, if not actual crooks.
And then, ….the day arrived when Chuck crossed the line —he made a “pee poor” decision to join ranks with the political power brokers he had long exposed, possibly believing he had since aquired the necessary skills to assure he would be a ‘forever’ political saint.
Giving him the benefit of doubt - Chuck had certainly seen enough & knew enough about how the system worked (and didn’t work) that it was, perhaps, his notion that it was worth wagering his spotless record against the political system. That must be it — he believed he possessed the skill to outwit, outmaneuver, and out-swindle the smartest and most talented lawyers and legislators anywhere in the hallowed halls and annals of Congress. But alas, Iowa’s herO ends in a zerO.
Probably Senator Charles Grassley's proudest moment was to DENY that "Nigra in the White House" a Supreme Court pick after Scalia perished on yet another trip to a resort.
Grassley ran the Judiciary Committee and denied even courtesy interviews to Merrick Garland.
Chuck has become a disgrace to our country, our state, his office, and his family. He deserved all of the anger that was targeted at him at that town hall. If Joni ever shows up she will get the same. They have sold their souls to the devil to serve in the US Senate. They are both a disgrace.
I was thinking the same thing about his grandson, Pat. I am hopeful the taint of Chuck’s and Kim’s fealty to Trump will tarnish their reputations and voters will rebel. Certainly the dismantling of public education, erosion of civil rights, and urgency to blur the lines between Church and State should be cause for their demise.
He looked pathetic facing his town hall crowds. I kinda felt sorry for him momentarily but this piece reinforced my objective self to all he’s squandered and what a partisan lackey he’s become.
Barry threw out a lifeline to preserve the Senator's legacy. Last week, I wrote the federal delegation stating I and many Iowans will support their speaking out and that their courage in speaking out aginst Trump/Musk will be rewarded in Iowa.
When I next write Sen. Grassley, I will mention this column. (I have previously mentioned Barry's columns when writing our federal delegation).
I will write the Senator and ask him to speak out against the removal of Inspector Generals, privatization of Social Security, and democracy in general....with as much passion as he spoke out against 'death panels'.
Thanks, Ralph. The death panels nonsense was a very early warning sign that the early Grassley “had left the building” and been replaced by a deeply partisan hack who would say and do whatever party leaders told him to do.
Yep. All those performances on TV about being the careful steward of public tax money are overshadowed now by his obeisance towards the Golden Calf and his absence in attacking the current corruption of his party. Talk about a Sunshine Patriot.
You can blame Grassley all you want. Why is no one asking this question; What compelled the people of Iowa to continue to elect a 91 year old has been?
Thank you for stating the obvious! I’ve been thinking that the entire time I’ve been reading everyone’s responses. Enough already, fire the guy! It’s way overdue for new faces to start leading this country. When will everyone finally accept this and elect new people?!!
So- Sen Grassley-who could have retired with his reputation intact for serving the nation and the people of Iowa for a very long time (too long) - instead will retire as damaged goods for kowtowing to donald for the last decade. Ask America’s Mayor-Rudy Giuliani -how that worked for him. So many public servants who could have retired with the gratitude of their constituents , instead will retire as a punchline.
For being such a govt watchdog, he was sure quiet about all the inspector generals getting fired.
Spot on, Tim. The dog that didn’t bark.
Great column. I thought Senator Grassley was an embarrassment way back on the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearing. Look at how that turned out. Grassley has now thrown Iowa in the ditch. Stand up to Trump.
Thank you, Mary. He hasn’t been on the right track for a long time, and the resulting damage has been very real. Clarence Thomas is a good case in point.
It would seem believing lies is something he embraced early. Has someone followed the trail of money? Lies and money tend to be intertwined.
My maternal grandmother taught English to Grassley, and my mom went on 1 date with him. Both my Mom and G’ma did not agree with anything he represented!!! And would never have voted for him! Iowa has a lot of work to do!!!
My Grandma had an autographed photo of him, when he was up and coming in Iowa. Kind of funny now after all these years! I think the photo was filed in the circular file! I am tempted to move back to DSM to turn Iowa Blue!!
Inexcusable that Grassley speaks of impeachment for judges who buck the Administration! He’s blocked impeachment of Trump twice. He cannot redeem himself. No lifeline is left.
Anger can do a lot to unite. That’s why Republicans spend so much time creating enemies/boogeymen. Their over reach will likely cause that dynamic to come into play against them. The town hall crowds suggest it may be starting.
Hope you’re right! I still wish Amy Klobuchar could get enough backers. So sensible and bright and down to earth.Here’s a question: if the government were to have shutdown, would the federal courts have closed? If so that would have been a disaster in itself. ……Apparently they would just slow down, especially on civil side. Still not great.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/05/trump-executive-order-lawlessness-constitutional-crisis/682112/
At some point, as is always the case with/Republicans they will over reach. One would think they have already done would qualify for that description, but Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security may be the final straws. Hopefully, these angry town halls are just the start of general public, forceful push back.
If they overreach, just how can Democrats get those angry voters ( moderate or MAGA) to vote for Democrats? I don’t foresee many independents or Republicans voting for AOC brand Democrats. The Democrats worry me. Need to pull together rather than apart.
As the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee no less, Josiah!
Yes and now major universities and DC law firm (only one?) are capitulating to the Administration. Very frightening. Trump might as well burn down the Reichstag.
What do you think will happen when they cut Medicaid??
Because Hampton is up in our neck of the woods, we had a few locals attend his one hour-long town hall that had only been publicly posted one day prior.
A significant irony was his celebratory wave when exiting the building - like is he completely tone deaf and had he paid attention at all?
Maybe his memorabilia in the future will be tucked inside a closet hidden in an innocuous state building; no one will really care about it or him.
You are right. He may not even get the curio cabinet after all this pandering to the fascists
Linda's husband, Jim, here: Chuck Grassley’s rise and fall in political stature will be the result of him falling into that age old problem of self-anointing his self-righteous superiority. No doubt, there were days past when the Senator was dedicated and dutifully stood up and called out the highest-rolling political power brokers, people whose typical character trademark (i.e. blatantly talking out of both sides of their mouths) marked them as very suspicious people, if not actual crooks.
And then, ….the day arrived when Chuck crossed the line —he made a “pee poor” decision to join ranks with the political power brokers he had long exposed, possibly believing he had since aquired the necessary skills to assure he would be a ‘forever’ political saint.
Giving him the benefit of doubt - Chuck had certainly seen enough & knew enough about how the system worked (and didn’t work) that it was, perhaps, his notion that it was worth wagering his spotless record against the political system. That must be it — he believed he possessed the skill to outwit, outmaneuver, and out-swindle the smartest and most talented lawyers and legislators anywhere in the hallowed halls and annals of Congress. But alas, Iowa’s herO ends in a zerO.
Thanks for this inside look at the Grassley town hall. The tv news I saw didn’t spend time on the details.
Corporate media is afraid of MAGA and not a reliable source of information.
Probably Senator Charles Grassley's proudest moment was to DENY that "Nigra in the White House" a Supreme Court pick after Scalia perished on yet another trip to a resort.
Grassley ran the Judiciary Committee and denied even courtesy interviews to Merrick Garland.
All at the direction of Mitch McConnell.
Chuck has become a disgrace to our country, our state, his office, and his family. He deserved all of the anger that was targeted at him at that town hall. If Joni ever shows up she will get the same. They have sold their souls to the devil to serve in the US Senate. They are both a disgrace.
I am assuming that his son, Pat, is waiting in the wings for dad's end or Reynolds will appoint herself.
I was thinking the same thing about his grandson, Pat. I am hopeful the taint of Chuck’s and Kim’s fealty to Trump will tarnish their reputations and voters will rebel. Certainly the dismantling of public education, erosion of civil rights, and urgency to blur the lines between Church and State should be cause for their demise.
Susan: Thanks for the clarification of who Pat is.
He looked pathetic facing his town hall crowds. I kinda felt sorry for him momentarily but this piece reinforced my objective self to all he’s squandered and what a partisan lackey he’s become.
His history is now a sad one. But he has no one to blame for it other than Chuck Grassley.
Barry threw out a lifeline to preserve the Senator's legacy. Last week, I wrote the federal delegation stating I and many Iowans will support their speaking out and that their courage in speaking out aginst Trump/Musk will be rewarded in Iowa.
When I next write Sen. Grassley, I will mention this column. (I have previously mentioned Barry's columns when writing our federal delegation).
I will write the Senator and ask him to speak out against the removal of Inspector Generals, privatization of Social Security, and democracy in general....with as much passion as he spoke out against 'death panels'.
Thanks, Ralph. The death panels nonsense was a very early warning sign that the early Grassley “had left the building” and been replaced by a deeply partisan hack who would say and do whatever party leaders told him to do.
Yep. All those performances on TV about being the careful steward of public tax money are overshadowed now by his obeisance towards the Golden Calf and his absence in attacking the current corruption of his party. Talk about a Sunshine Patriot.
Exactly.
Good analysis. Thank you.
No redemption.
It does seem like an impossible hole to climb out of that he has created for himself, but it would be nice if he at least tried.
You can blame Grassley all you want. Why is no one asking this question; What compelled the people of Iowa to continue to elect a 91 year old has been?
Thank you for stating the obvious! I’ve been thinking that the entire time I’ve been reading everyone’s responses. Enough already, fire the guy! It’s way overdue for new faces to start leading this country. When will everyone finally accept this and elect new people?!!
Indifference
So- Sen Grassley-who could have retired with his reputation intact for serving the nation and the people of Iowa for a very long time (too long) - instead will retire as damaged goods for kowtowing to donald for the last decade. Ask America’s Mayor-Rudy Giuliani -how that worked for him. So many public servants who could have retired with the gratitude of their constituents , instead will retire as a punchline.
I assume that he plans to die in the traces.