After Ted Yoho Said This, He Obviously Needs To Watch This Schoolhouse Rock Video

Amid all of the discussion over Rep. Devin Nunes’s handling of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, we get to a comment that is oh-so-telling from a U.S. representative.

This exchange.

YOHO: "[Nunes] answers to the president".
MELVIN: Does he? Or does he work for constituents?
YOHO: "Well, you do both." pic.twitter.com/rbeeBiqNFa

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 30, 2017

“Are you concerned at all that [Nunes] was viewing what he said was classified information at the White House and then reported it back to the White House?” MSNBC host Craig Melvin asked Rep. Ted Yoho (R – Fla.) on Thursday.

“Well, you have to keep in mind who he works for. He works for the president and he answers to the president,” Yoho incredibly replied.

Melvin shot back, “Does he? Or does he work for the constituents in his district?”

Yoho lamely replied, “Well, you do both.”

No. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.

It truly is stunning that an MSNBC host has to correct a sitting U.S. representative on basic civics.

Yoho has clearly lost sight of what his and his colleague’s jobs are: To represent the interests of the people in their district. Not to do the bidding of the president just because he’s under the same party logo. And he especially does not answer to the president of the United States. The president is not the one electing any of the men and women into Congress, with the exception of the district where he is registered to vote.

Do you work with the president on getting legislation passed that adheres to the president’s agenda? Yes. But confusing that with being accountable and beholden to a co-equal branch of government is dangerous and absurd.

Would it be acceptable for Justice Roberts to say, “Sorry, we answer to the president.” Absolutely not. So, why would we accept the idea that the president can dictate to the legislative branch? And far more importantly, why does a U.S. representative think that’s the case?

I suppose, if that’s currently a commonly held thought among Republicans in the legislature, it explains a lot.

Rep. Yoho and any other government officials who think what Yoho said is correct, I would point you to this very simple civics lesson.

And remember, the president is not your boss.