Opinion: ‘Vilifying broad swaths of Americans’

Editor Ken Vance reflects on troubling posts by public defender Renee Alsept and shares a thoughtful perspective from longtime attorney Brad Andersen on ethics, discourse, and professionalism.

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance shares a conversation with an old friend about Clark County public defender’s social media hatred for Trump and Trump supporters

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well in the Clark County Public Defense Department.

Clark County Today shared a story Thursday about a Clark County employee’s social media activity that has many area citizens concerned. Renee Alsept has been a public defender in Clark County’s Public Defense Department since Nov. 1, 2024. During that time and before, she has routinely made profane social media posts about her hatred for President Trump and Trump supporters. In one post, she even referred to law enforcement as “pigs’’ and used the derogatory term of “Vantucky’’ to mock Vancouver residents. (Click on the link to yesterday’s story to read a number of Alsept’s social media posts.)

I’ve had many conversations with others in the two days since it was brought to my attention. After I shared the screenshots of Alsept’s posts, I received a number of one-word reactions to begin those discussions including “unhinged,” “extraordinary,” “shocking” and “awful.’’ My first word also was “shocking.”

County Manager Kathleen Otto confirmed to me Thursday that Alsept is a county employee, not a private contractor. Otto also revealed that the county’s social media policy doesn’t govern the behavior of county employees on their own personal social media pages.

Former Clark County Councilor Gary Medvigy, a retired judge with more than 40 years on the bench, told me “no county government, taxpayer supported position should employ a person that is so hateful of the voting public.’’ I’m sure at least half of the population would agree with him. I certainly do.

Others questioned whether or not Alsept should be forced to disclose her bias to her clients and asked how she could provide an adequate defense to all defendants. I think those concerns are valid.

A conversation with an old friend

One of the conversations I had about Alsept’s behavior in recent days was with a long-time attorney here in Southwest Washington. He’s virtually a life-long friend. We went to high school together and were even teammates on several athletic teams. I found his thoughts on this subject to be among the most centered, fair and insightful.

“I don’t personally know this attorney, nor am I familiar with her work beyond a few of the posts you provided — and frankly, the first few were enough to tell me that reading more wouldn’t be worth my time,’’ said Attorney Brad Andersen. “That said, from what I can gather, she’s spent her entire legal career as a public defender — one of the most demanding and least celebrated roles in our profession. It’s a path that often reflects deep commitment to advocating for those that society holds in contempt.

“I spent nearly 12 years as a prosecutor, and while I took pride in helping victims seek justice, I had genuine respect for many of my adversaries who faced incredibly difficult challenges in defending those most marginalized. While certainly not universal, many career public defenders tend to align with progressive or Democratic causes and so I am not surprised by her political leanings. That doesn’t excuse the inflammatory and frankly hateful rhetoric I saw in her posts.’’

Brad and I are Facebook friends. I don’t think he will mind that I share with you that he often posts his own concerns about Trump. It’s never profane. It’s always thoughtful and carefully considered from a Constitutional standard. He is true to the law. So, there couldn’t be a wider gap in appropriateness and acceptability between his posts and those of Alsept.

“Vilifying broad swaths of Americans — Trump supporters or otherwise — is not only counterproductive, it’s corrosive to our public discourse,’’ Andersen said. “This kind of hyper-partisan contempt sadly isn’t unique to the left. We’re seeing it across the political spectrum, and it’s contributing to the erosion of civil dialogue in this country. It doesn’t help that the media and social platforms seem to reward the loudest, most outrageous voices — turning politics into a kind of performance art like p[professional wrestling, where fame (or infamy) is the currency. At times, it feels like we’re watching the WWF in suits and ties.

“As lawyers, we’re entitled to express our political views like anyone else. But we also bear an ethical obligation to uphold the rule of law and demonstrate respect for the judicial system,’’ he added. “Passionate advocacy is fine — even necessary — but it should be rooted in reason, not rage. From what I read, her focus seemed less about improving justice and more about broadcasting contempt for Trump and his supporters.’’

Can we ever go back?

I don’t think Brad believes that all political discourse is as volatile and vitriolic as Alsept’s. I can attest I am blessed with many friends and acquaintances who can discuss our ideological differences without profanely spewing the hate that Alsept is so comfortable with. But, nevertheless, I agree with Brad that the discourse has certainly gotten much, much worse in recent years.

“More than anything, I wish we could return to a time when people — regardless of party — listened to each other, assumed good faith, and worked together on the issues that matter most,’’ he said. “Our country’s challenges won’t be solved by shouting across the aisle. They’ll be solved when we treat one another with decency — even when we disagree. I just don’t know what it will take to return to those days.’’

I don’t either, Brad. But, it’s certainly a nice dream to have.