In the realm of politics, trust is a precious commodity. It is a bond between the people and their leaders, a foundation upon which a thriving democracy is built. Yet, there are those who, through their actions and words, erode that trust and leave a trail of deceit in their wake. In the two years, Sarah Sanders spent as Trump's press secretary, her time as a Fox News commentator, and now as the Republican governor of Arkansas, she has gained a negative reputation for being able to lie effortlessly ― even confessing to it under oath ― and vigorously protecting Trump's most disagreeable conduct and demonstrating a consistent pattern of deception and manipulation along with disparaging others and sowing division.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders' tenure as White House press secretary was marred by a consistent pattern of deception and manipulation. From the moment she assumed the role, she demonstrated a willingness to bend the truth to fit her narrative and lie for her boss.
One of the most glaring examples of this was her role in spreading the false narrative surrounding the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Sanders stood before the national press corps and claimed that "countless" FBI agents had lost confidence in Comey, a statement that was later revealed to be fabricated. It became evident that she had no qualms about using her position to perpetuate falsehoods and mislead the American people. - NBCNews
But Sanders' deception didn't stop there. She also engaged in a campaign of personal attacks and character assassination, targeting individuals who dared to challenge the Trump administration.
One such victim was Amanda Carpenter, a political commentator who found herself at the receiving end of Sanders' vindictive smear tactics. When Carpenter faced baseless accusations of infidelity with Senator Ted Cruz, Sanders seized the opportunity to further besmirch her name. In an interview with Jake Tapper, Sanders shifted the blame onto Carpenter, suggesting that she should sue the National Enquirer for publishing the false story. This display of cruelty and lack of empathy revealed a darker side to Sanders' character. - Politico -Photo Courtesy Harper Collins Publishers
One of the most galling aspects of Sarah Huckabee Sanders' political career is her blatant hypocrisy. During her campaign for Arkansas governor, she built her brand on championing conservative values and railing against big government interference. However, as governor, her actions tell a different story. Take, for instance, her recent request for federal aid following the devastating tornadoes in Arkansas. This came as a surprise to many, considering her previous statements condemning the "meddling hand of big government." It seems that Sanders is more than willing to embrace government assistance when it suits her needs, revealing a glaring inconsistency in her principles. - Daily KOS
Furthermore, Sanders has shown a propensity for engaging in unethical behavior while espousing moral superiority.
A prime example of this is her involvement in the scandal surrounding the purchase of a lectern after a taxpayer-funded trip to Paris.
When questioned about the matter, Sanders dodged the questions and lied, attempting to hide the truth. This calculated deception and the subsequent cover-up demonstrate a complete disregard for transparency and a willingness to engage in unethical practices. - People
Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made a name for herself by sowing division and demonizing certain groups within society. One of her favorite targets has been the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals. Through her platform, she has perpetuated harmful stereotypes and spread misinformation, further marginalizing an already vulnerable group. This calculated strategy of using fear and prejudice as a political weapon is not only morally reprehensible but also runs counter to the principles of inclusivity and equality that should underpin our society.
Their statement: “The Governor has stated that her goal is to protect Arkansas children. Enacting HB1156 will do just the opposite -- this law will harm Arkansas transgender youth. This is another despicable effort by extremist politicians to alienate kids who are just trying to navigate their childhoods. Stopping kids from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity will not do anything to create jobs, lower costs, or make life easier for Arkansas families. This bill should have never reached the Governor's desk, and she should be ashamed for signing it into law."
Moreover, Sanders has displayed a complete unwillingness to work with Democrats and liberals, dismissing their ideas and painting them as enemies of freedom. She has gone so far as to claim that Americans have a "right to be free of socialism and tyranny," disregarding the fact that a functioning democracy requires collaboration and compromise. This divisive rhetoric only serves to deepen the political divide and hinder progress. - CBS News
But it isn't just her behavior that has left a sour taste in the mouths of the people of Arkansas. Surly snarling Sarah Sanders is a staunch proponent of an extreme Christian nationalist agenda, pushing her beliefs onto others without regard for their own personal convictions. She uses her position of power to push for policies that favor her religious views, all the while disregarding the diversity and multiculturalism that make America so great. - KRR
Another aspect of Sarah Huckabee Sanders' tenure that has drawn criticism is her approach to education policy. She championed the controversial LEARNS law, which aimed to provide vouchers for private schools, effectively diverting taxpayer funds away from public education.
This move not only undermined the public school system but also perpetuated socioeconomic disparities, as only the wealthy could afford to send their children to these privately owned institutions. Sanders' support for this policy revealed a prioritization of privilege over the well-being of all students and a disregard for the importance of a strong public education system.
1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders referred to Trump's policy of separating children from their families at the border and placing them in detention centers as "very biblical."
2. When Trump retweeted three unverified, Islamophobic videos, Sanders maintained that it didn't matter if the videos were "real" and advised journalists that if they focused on that, they were "focusing on the wrong thing."
3. Following a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 kids and two teachers were killed, Sanders delivered a speech in which she argued that "we will make sure that when a baby is in the womb, they're as safe as they are in a classroom." At that stage in 2022, there had already been 27 school shootings that year.
4. When asked if the press was the "enemy of the people," she refused to answer.
5. She conceded to having lied about former FBI director James Comey, saying that many agents had expressed joy at his dismissal.
6. Utilizing her government Twitter account, she criticized a small Virginia restaurant for refusing to serve her and censured The New York Times for publishing an anonymous piece critical of the Trump administration.
7. At a 2019 Democratic presidential debate, she ridiculed Joe Biden for having a stammer, something he has suffered from his whole life.
8. She posted an Infowars-produced video of CNN's Jim Acosta that seemed to be doctored to make it seem as if he was being hostile towards a White House intern and used it to defend the Trump administration's withdrawal of Acosta's press credentials.
9. She asserted that God had "wanted Donald Trump to become president."
10. She falsely declared that Trump's border wall had prevented nearly 4,000 known or suspected terrorists from entering the U.S. in 2018. The truth is that only six people on the No-Fly List had been stopped by the wall, for which Trump was asking for $5.7 billion.
11. She proclaimed the Mueller report findings to be a definitive exoneration of Trump, despite the fact that the report summary explicitly stated it did not exonerate him.
12. When a journalist referred to the need for a staff shakeup on the White House communications team as "lopping heads off", she took it quite literally and responded that nobody had previously suggested she should be decapitated.
13. To justify Trump's unprecedented refusal to share his tax returns, Sanders asserted that members of Congress were not clever enough to go through the many pages of the documents.
14. When running for governor of Arkansas, she declared that she would not support any exceptions for rape or incest in legislation prohibiting abortion, a position that is out of step with the majority of Americans, including more than three-quarters of Republicans according to studies.
15. As governor of Arkansas, Sanders banned the term "Latinx" from any state documents, claiming it was "ethnically insensitive and pejorative language".In the realm of politics, trust is a precious commodity that must be earned and maintained. Unfortunately, Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proven herself to be an untrustworthy figure through her consistent pattern of deception, hypocrisy, and divisiveness. Her legacy is one of lies, personal attacks, and a blatant disregard for the well-being of the American people. It is important to remember her true character and the harm she has caused.
Whether you agree with her policies or not, one thing is clear: she has been a polarizing figure during her time as press secretary and governor. Moving forward, it will be up to the Arkansas voters to decide whether they believe she is fit for office. We all have a responsibility to stay informed and engaged, and to use our voices at the voting booth to enact real change.
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