Covid Review Committee
by Rob Beiswenger, District 8 Idaho Freedom Caucus Member
It’s been more than five years since the Covid debacle, and the Idaho Legislature recently took time to reflect on the legality of our government’s actions during that difficult period.
Today, over half of Idaho’s 105 legislators (70 House, 35 Senate) are new since 2022 or 2024. Many were just ordinary citizens who were motivated to run for office precisely because of what happened during the Covid years.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1st, a Covid Review Committee hearing was held at the Statehouse to examine whether the government of Idaho violated the law or the state and federal Constitutions during the so-called Covid “pandemic”. I was appointed to this committee, chaired by Sen. Dan Foreman and Rep. Barbara Ehardt.
From the start, several members seemed hesitant to speak openly, but Sen. Foreman called that out. I reminded the committee, and the public, of the pain many Idahoans endured during those years:
You can watch my comments here
The sad truth is that the Covid era was a very painful time for almost everyone. While it’s uncomfortable to revisit, it is necessary, because forgetting only ensures it can happen again.
Some committee members still refused to acknowledge the abuse of power. One Democrat senator claimed individual rights weren’t violated when churches were shut down, arguing people could simply “worship at home.” Others excused officials, saying they were just “listening to the experts.” Those who hid behind Covid complacency and the “go-along-to get along” attitude lack courage and leadership, raising serious questions for the people they represent.
Part of being a good leader is exercising discernment and standing for truth, not blindly following self-proclaimed experts and exercising herd mentality.
Whatever the intentions might have been for those in authority during the early Covid hysteria, the evidence is clear: Idaho officials overstepped their authority which the majority of the committee agreed. Better communication and transparency could have prevented mandates and closures. With modern tools like texting, social media, radio, and TV, public health officials could have given citizens the facts on Covid and trusted citizens to make our own responsible decisions about our health and our interactions with others.
Since Covid, several laws have been passed to address this the powers of government officials including Idaho’s Medical Freedom Act (first in the nation), Limits on Health District powers, no forced evacuations during emergencies, and other laws restraining executive authority during emergencies.
One unresolved issue that the Committee focused on was the Governor’s repeated 30-day emergency declarations. Current law is ambiguous: some assumed the limit was 60 days (one declaration, one renewal), yet the Governor kept re-authorizing indefinitely without legislative input or oversight. This loophole will likely be addressed with clarifying legislation in 2026.
We must prepare for future emergencies while ensuring that Idahoans’ rights are not trampled again during future emergencies. The Idaho Freedom Caucus will continue to lead through legislative action on this issue to safeguard liberty and ensure what happened in the Covid times never repeat itself.
Representative Rob Bieswenger
Thank you and all on the COVID review committee.
First, a huge thank you Sen. Dan Foreman, Rep. Dan Beiswenger, and others who spoke up and stood for the people during this meeting. We sure did need them back in 2020, as Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld explained in "Where Were the Courageous? Idaho’s Covid Failure” (https://tinyurl.com/v35eakz8)
We must never again allow elected officials to abuse citizens as they did during COVID and continue doing today.
Nothing in our US Constitution says it’s OK to violate natural rights during an emergency, however scary. The Bill of Rights, especially, was crafted to protect us FROM government overreach at ALL TIMES. Period. Full stop. Those who fail to remember this violate their oath of office and their obligation to humanity.
The fact that some on the very committee tasked with investigating the COVID response in Idaho FEARED speaking up tells you just how broken our freedom of speech rights are and how weak some representatives were and still are. We elect them to listen to us and to inform us honestly. Then they must stay out of our way and let us make our own decisions.
Draconian measures that trample our rights — no matter how well intentioned — are crimes against the people and should be treated as such. It’s appalling that anyone thinks it’s OK to shut down a person’s livelihood or property without due process, to prevent people from assembling and worshipping when such human companionship is most needed, or to suppress life- and society-saving information (such as early treatments for COVID and dangers of hastily rolled out medical interventions) that would have gotten America back on its feet immediately.
The story about neighbors turning in neighbors in the small town of Horseshoe Bend was chilling! Small towns, especially, should help their neighbors, NOT destroy them. If liberty minded Idahoans won’t speak up and stand for one another, who will? Fear is no excuse.
In addition to limiting the governor’s ability to extend emergencies unchecked, we ask legislators to look at and repeal or revise other Idaho laws that trample our freedoms. Some are discussed in “Health Freedom & Other Solutions for Idaho & Beyond” at https://tinyurl.com/4mav9xv4.
The COVID investigation committee has spread some disinfecting sunshine on the whole sordid business that occurred 5 years ago. Now it's time to ensure that NEVER AGAIN truly means NEVER AGAIN!
Say it again: NEVER AGAIN!