Alaska Lawmakers Urged to Fulfill Oversight Duties

Opinion piece calls on Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Begich to investigate executive misconduct, regardless of party affiliation.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An opinion piece published on adn.com urges Alaska's congressional delegation, specifically Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, to fulfill their constitutional duty of oversight and accountability over the executive branch, even if the president is of the same political party. The article argues that members of Congress who refuse to investigate executive misconduct share responsibility for the president's actions.

Why it matters

This op-ed highlights the importance of legislative oversight as a check on executive power, regardless of partisan allegiances. It argues that Alaska's representatives have an obligation to hold the president accountable, even if he is a member of their own party.

The details

The article cites numerous allegations and actions by former President Trump, including sexual misconduct, inciting the Capitol attack, profiting from the presidency, and concealing information related to a child sex trafficking case. It states that Congress, as the "board of directors" for the U.S. government, is responsible for investigating such misconduct and, if warranted, impeaching and removing the president.

  • The op-ed was published on February 18, 2026.

The players

Sen. Dan Sullivan

A Republican member of the U.S. Senate representing Alaska.

Rep. Nick Begich

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Alaska.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

A Republican member of the U.S. Senate representing Alaska, who the article states has stood up to the Trump administration, modeling the independent-minded leadership needed from all members of the legislative branch.

President Trump

The former president of the United States, who the article alleges engaged in numerous instances of misconduct and abuse of power.

Joel Potter

The author of the op-ed, an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Begich must choose between complicity and commitment to their fundamental constitutional obligations as legislators.”

— Joel Potter, Associate Professor of Philosophy (adn.com)

“No one considers it a valid excuse if trustees happen to belong to the same political party as the executive leadership they are charged with overseeing. The job remains the same: oversight, accountability, exercise of budgetary authority and policymaking.”

— Joel Potter, Associate Professor of Philosophy (adn.com)

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific next steps, as it is an opinion piece calling on Alaska's congressional delegation to fulfill their oversight duties.

The takeaway

This op-ed underscores the importance of legislative oversight as a check on executive power, regardless of party affiliation. It argues that Alaska's representatives have a constitutional obligation to investigate and hold the president accountable, even if he is a member of their own party.