Debbie Dingell is not what you think.
When you see her on TV wearing her shawls, or shuffling around at campaign events, or playing beer pong with college kids, you might think Debbie Dingell is a different type of politician.
Don’t believe it. The sad truth is, she’s just another Democrat.
She says what they say, and she votes how they vote. On debate TV shows and the pages of the Detroit newspapers, Dingell is presented as the straightest of shooters. Middle of the road. Normal.
The record shows otherwise. Dingell is no citadel of civility.
Last year, Dingell had a speaking part in a fake congressional hearing, on a fake topic.
House Democrats used taxpayer money to hold a phony hearing claiming that Donald Trump was connected to Project 2025. When I think of decency in politics, campaign events on the public’s dime don’t hit the mark.
Dingell spoke in dark tones about Project 2025’s “not-so-secret plan to eliminate pay.” She nodded along as people testified about how they’d be affected by Project 2025.
There was just one problem: Trump has nothing to do with it. The spread of misinformation is damaging to our republic. But because there were points to be scored, Debbie Dingell did it anyway.
This year, Dingell voted against bills to deport illegal immigrants who commit sex crimes, and to keep boys out of girls sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
Dingell didn’t want to give wins to House Republicans, who hold power, so she voted no. Dingell did not think or vote as an American citizen, or as a Michigander, but as a member of the Democrat Party. When the two are in conflict, she sides with the Democrats. Dingell did not write the book on decency. She couldn’t have.
This week, Dingell crossed the line entirely. She argued that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, had been “credibly accused” of sexual assault.
“How will he address sexual assault in the military as a man credibly accused of sexual assault himself?” Dingell asked on X.
“Credibly accused” is the new “believe all women.” It’s a tool to bring down men on the rise. It’s a Democrat talking point that assumes the stupidity of all who hear it.
Smart people know that allegations are not charges, charges are not convictions, and convictions are often wrongful.
Stupid people believe that “credibly accused” is as good as a righteous conviction.
“Credibly accused” makes our politics coarser, less true, and makes true allegations less powerful.
By the time a real threat presents, Dingell won’t have the words for it. She will have worn out her voice crying wolf.
Debbie Dingell is not what you think. She’s just another Democrat. That’s a shame.
James David Dickson is host of the Enjoyer Podcast. Join him in conversation on X @downi75.