Years ago, my brother, a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, told me about a young lawyer who’d risen through the ranks of federal prosecutors to become the director of the FBI. His name was Robert S. Mueller III. Marc Fisher described this true American hero in the March 22 front-page obituary “Bastion of calm amid political storms.”
Mueller could have followed the example of so many privileged men of the 1960s and sat out the growing war in Vietnam by way of student deferments, health issues or other means. Instead, fresh from Princeton and New York University, he entered the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School at Quantico, Virginia. He entered the Corps at a time when its young lieutenants were thrown into some of the deadliest battles of the war — including his own encounters with the tough North Vietnamese army. Mueller survived, but not before suffering a gunshot wound. He went to serve as the aide of the commanding general of the Third Marine Division: my father, William K. Jones. Like Mueller, my dad also was shot before leaving the treacherous lines on the border with North Vietnam. Given the honor and long service of Mueller’s life, I’m quite sure that Gen. Jones is saluting Mueller on the far shores of Tripoli.
Charles Jones, Richmond
Sadly, it would have been naïve to expect better than what President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”
The president’s post speaks volumes about himself, rather than the good and faithful servant he vilified.
Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to Robert S. Mueller III. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was decorated with two Commendation Medals, as well as the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He also became FBI director at a critical time in our nation’s history, shortly before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Mueller was widely viewed as nonpartisan, as evidenced by his 98-0 Senate confirmation vote.
Mueller’s last government service was as special counsel for the Justice Department to determine whether the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia in 2016. For this role, Mueller earned the apparently everlasting ire of Trump, but he was a dedicated public servant who handled his missions with resolve, dignity and integrity.
Diane B. Norton, Fairfax
The TSA needs a permanent solution
I hope all members of Congress are satisfied with the consequences of their inaction in ending the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Members of Congress have demonstrated that allegiance to their parties outweighs their duty to the American people. The people they pledged to serve are suffering. And hardworking Americans are again struggling to pay their bills. This is not leadership. This is neglect.
Kevin Radzewicz, Chesapeake
The March 23 editorial “Sending ICE agents to airports won’t help as much as ending shutdown” rightly highlighted the chaos the federal government has created for air travelers and Transportation Security Administration officers. There is a permanent solution to ensure politicians can’t do this to us again.
Congress already has several bipartisan bills sitting before it that would insulate us all from its political drama. The Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act would ensure that air traffic controllers are paid during future government shutdowns. The Keep America Flying Act would provide the same lasting protection for TSA officers.
These practical measures would provide paycheck stability for federal aviation workers and help prevent massive disruptions. Yet Congress has failed to act.
Our aviation system is one of the most critical components of the U.S. economy and national security, but as long as its workers (including TSA screeners, customs clearance officers and air traffic controllers) are used as pawns in government shutdowns, we will keep seeing the same consequences: staffing shortages, long lines and disruptions for the traveling public.
It’s unfathomable that passengers are having to wait hours to be screened at some airports, and it’s utterly wrong that TSA officers are receiving another empty paycheck this week.
Congress must act now to pay TSA officers immediately and then pass legislation to ensure this never happens again.
Chris Sununu, Washington
The writer, a former governor of New Hampshire, is president and CEO of Airlines for America.
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