True American heroes are genuinely humble and resist taking credit as they labor for causes deemed by some to be hopeless and even dangerous. Some who pursue their passion for the moral rightness of their cause are subjected to a miscarriage of justice from their enemies and suffer greatly.
This is the case of former Congressman Rick Renzi, a Republican from the state of Arizona, who has paid a heavy toll from political enemies. The efforts to destroy him came from a corrupt Department of Justice and a deep state that, as we have seen from the Trump witch-hunts, will stop at nothing to eliminate those it sees as a threat to its elite ruling order.
Prior to Renzi serving in Congress, he was a successful insurance agent. He was, and still is, a passionate pro-life advocate who believes that the protection of all human life, born and unborn, is the foremost obligation of our Constitutional Republic. Based on that belief, in the late 1980s he set up the first pro-life insurance company insuring the work of thousands of pro-life pregnancy centers.
This insurance program is crucial to pro-life pregnancy centers, which provide alternatives to abortion to mothers in unplanned pregnancies. Despite saving millions of lives over the years pregnancy centers have been subjected to a vicious smear campaign launched by Planned Parenthood and allies. False accusations of deception, fraud and illegally practicing medicine have been the mantra of pro-abortion forces that want to close them down.
Because of his pro-life stand and support for traditional values Renzi was elected to three terms in a traditionally Democratic district. In fact, in 2004 he won reelection with 57% of the vote. His pro-life credentials shone throughout his congressional career and he was an original sponsor of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. He was being touted as a future governor but he had become a threat to the deep state.
Working with Democrat operatives within the Department of Justice, opponents launched the “Eagle Operation” to take Renzi out. He was charged with using corrupt influence in the federal purchase of property and was accused of illegally funding his Congressional campaign.
The plan used against Renzi was similar to the one used against President Trump in the failed Russian collusion delusion. It included false charges of misuse of public office supported by a fake dossier, grossly overcharging when he refused to accept any plea deals, illegal wire-tapping of his attorneys, offering a key witness who was on the verge of bankruptcy money to change his testimony, withholding evidence that would demonstrate his innocence, knowingly introducing false testimony, and multiple unethical conflicts of interest’ among members of the prosecution and witness.
Sounds an awful lot like the Trump witch hunts, doesn’t it?
Mr. Renzi’s pro-life advocacy was also targeted. During jury selection, the prosecutor forced prospective jurors to identify if they were pro-life or had worked for a pro-life pregnancy center. Any such juror was immediately dismissed.
Renzi was wrongly convicted on corruption charges in the sale of property. This conviction was based upon the testimony of a witness who was offered a financial reward. This individual was in such poor financial straits that he likened this potential payment from the DOJ to “winning the lottery.” Even after new evidence about payments offered to the key witness was brought to light, the trial judge refused to reverse the conviction.
Renzi served two years in federal prison and suffered financial ruin in defending himself. Such is the fate of those who are enemies of the deep state.
In April of this year, an official complaint was filed on his behalf with supporting documents showing prosecutorial misconduct and illegal activity. The complaint seeks a full investigation by current Attorney General Barr that exposes the corruption within DOJ.
Rick Renzi loves his country, and that is why he chose to serve in Congress. He loves his family. He loves children and the work of those who protect them. However, some in this country hate him because of what he stands for.
If the Deep State that is so embedded in the Washington culture will stop at nothing to destroy Renzi and Trump, what’s to stop them from trying to destroy the next patriot trying to shake things up?
I am proud to speak in defense of Rick Renzi—a true American pro-life patriot. I ask all Americans to join me.
Thomas Glessner, J.D. is the President and Founder of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. NIFLA recently won a Supreme Court victory for the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers and all Americans in NIFLA v. Becerra.