When the Truth Gets in the Way of the Smear

Citizens Alliance of Idaho's golden boy omits important facts inconvenient to his attack on a Republican legislator.

Senator Brian Lenney loves to post misleading hot takes online, hoping nobody notices the damage he's doing. Over the weekend, Lenney took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a tragic news story about a farmworker in Idaho who was recently sentenced in connection with a fatal car accident. But instead of telling the truth, Lenney used the incident to push a grotesque political narrative and smear fellow Republican Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen.

Let’s be clear: the worker involved — a Peruvian immigrant — was legally employed at the time. He had legal status and worked on a local dairy operation, paying taxes like everyone else. The tragic incident occurred when he attempted a right-hand turn while towing a trailer loaded with farming equipment. As the trailer swung wide, a fast-moving vehicle slammed into it. The driver of that vehicle was killed.

According to investigators, that vehicle was speeding — a witness estimated it at 85 mph. Blood tests revealed the driver had THC in their system. W…