Robin Smith Calls for White House Action on Van Jones (UPDATED)

HIXSON, September 6 – Following the disclosure of more disturbing comments by White House “Green Jobs Czar” Van Jones, Third District Congressional Candidate Robin Smith today joined the growing chorus of national leaders calling upon President Obama to take appropriate action and remove Jones from his position in the administration. Smith called for a review of the policy of installing unelected officials to lead public policy.

In recent days, Jones’ past comments regarding school shootings and the revelation that he was a signatory of a petition supporting the belief that the September 11 attacks involved the United States government have increased concerns of his suitability to perform his duties. They also reveal the dangers inherent in handing the power of government over to individuals without a proper vetting process.

“Mr. Jones’ termination is merely the first step”, Smith said. “He should immediately resign his position or be shown the door. His removal, however, should be the first action in cleaning up the Obama mess. The entire notion of these 30 ‘czars’ who are not elected and unaccountable to the American people for their views and decisions is unacceptable.”

Addressing the larger issue of unelected “czars” having influence over the federal government, Smith added, “It is clear that someone with Mr. Jones’ radical leftist views would never have passed the confirmation process. By avoiding that process, Americans had no say through their Senators in handing authority over policy and budget to a man who has stated that ‘communities of color’ are being intentionally poisoned with pollutants and apparently believes Americans were involved in the horror of 9/11.  The Congress should immediately reclaim the oversight authority granted to it in the implied powers of the Constitution and do the job they were elected to do. Abdication of responsibility out of misguided loyalty to the president is wrong and the American people deserve better.” 

UPDATE: Responding to reports that Van Jones has submitted his resignation, Robin Smith issued the following statement: "Although the White House sought to diminish notice of Mr. Jones' resignation by announcing it in the early hours of Sunday morning, the result is correct and I applaud the action. Mr. Jones' views are not consistent with the values of this nation and there should be no place in the highest levels of government for his radical ideas. With the mishandling of his appointment and subsequent resignation, I stand by my call for a full Congressional review of the appointment and vetting of the 'czars' serving in the Obama Administration."