Editorial
In an editorial published on February 26, the Hagadone Media Corporation through its Coeur d’Alene Press publication appears to support “the right” to ignore a lawful order issued by the highest law enforcement officer in the county. The Press seems to defend Democrat Teresa Borrenpohl’s actions to wilfully resist a direct order issued by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris.
“His [Norris] actions at the town hall meeting Saturday that led to a woman being forcibly removed, literally dragged kicking and screaming from the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium, were wrong,” stated the editorial.
“Yes, she may have been asked several times to stop speaking out of turn. And yes, she and others may well have been warned security was present and speaking out of turn could mean their removal,” the editorial continued. “But that doesn’t mean she or anyone should be physically removed, against their will.”
The law says otherwise and the opinion of editors at The Press do not trump the law. Individuals are “removed against their will” all the time—that is literally part of the job of law enforcement. It looks as if the individual who penned the editorial is either wilfully ignorant of the law or intentionally abusing the truth.
Material reviewed by this publication indicates Sheriff Norris gave a lawful order to Borrenpohl at least four times. When she refused to comply with his request for her to get up and leave after her behavior disrupted the event, he asked her what she’d like to do—leave on her own or be escorted.
“Escorted,” she replied, then immediately refused to comply with the escort.
Not only did Borrenpohl blatantly refuse to comply with Norris’ directives to leave the event of her own accord, she actively fought against the individuals who assisted the sheriff and even admitted to biting one of them. Click here to watch one of the many videos of the incident shared on public platforms.
The duties of the sheriff are defined by Idaho code 31-2202. The duties which are applicable to the incident are:
- 31-2202(1)—Preserve the peace.
- 31-2202(2)—Arrest…persons who attempt to commit or who have committed a public offense.
- 31-2202(3)—Prevent and suppress all affrays, breaches of peace, riots and insurrections.
- 31-2202(5)—Command the aid of as many inhabitants of the county as he may think necessary in the execution of these duties.
Take note—Norris can command the aid of anyone to help him execute his duties. This includes the security officers who were at the event and anyone else he may deem necessary. Furthermore, those who are commanded to assist are protected by Idaho code 19-205.
When the officers of justice are authorized to act in the prevention of public offenses, other persons who, by their command, act in their aid, are justified in so doing.
Idaho code 19-205
Idaho code 18-705 clearly states that, “Every person who wilfully resists, delays or obstructs any public officer, in the discharge, or attempt to discharge, of any duty of his office or who knowingly gives a false report to any peace officer, when no other punishment is prescribed, is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), and imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year.”
Those who argue that Borrenpohl, or anyone else, has “the right” to exercise their vocal cords at will to the disruption of others around them, is taking the position that there are no boundaries to the exercise of free speech. The Idaho Constitution clearly states that individuals enjoy freedom of speech, but they are also responsible for the use thereof.
Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
Idaho Constitution Article I, Section 9
Borrenpohl’s own comments to the media after the fact, along with multiple video recordings of the incident itself, indicate that she was purposefully disruptive during a peaceable assembly, refused to leave when asked, was informed that she was under arrest, and resisted those who were instructed by Norris to assist him.
Idaho code 19-610 states in part, “when the arrest is being made without a warrant but is supported by probable cause to believe that the person has committed an offense, after information of the intention to make the arrest, if the person to be arrested either flees or forcibly resists, the officer may use all reasonable and necessary means to effect the arrest.”
All the laws cited above have been suppressed by the media and ignored by the City of Coeur d’Alene, which not only dropped battery and trespass charges against Borrenpohl, but has so far declined to pursue charges for wilfully resisting Sheriff Norris as he attempted to discharge the duties of his office.
Based on a plain reading of the law, the circumstances on Saturday at the Republican town hall appear very differently to Kootenai Journal than they do to The Press. To summarize:
- Borrenpohl abused her freedom of speech when she chose to disrupt the event multiple times.
- Her actions denied other individuals their First Amendment rights to peacefully assemble.
- Sheriff Norris gave Borrenpohl a lawful order to leave.
- She chose to be escorted, then refused to comply with the escort in a dignified manner.
- Norris was acting within his jurisdiction while exercising the duties and responsibilities of his office.
- Norris commanded the aid of individuals who acted lawfully to assist.
Whether the event was public or private is irrelevant when applied to the actions taken by Sheriff Norris who has full authority to execute the duties of his office within the county regardless of the venue or city boundaries.
Bottom line—Norris’ actions did not lead to the “forcible removal” of Borrenpohl as the editorial asserted. For reasons known only to herself, Borrenhopl chose “to be escorted” and turned the entire incident into a spectacle of epic proportions.
Arguments could be made that the editorial board at The Press undermined the rule of law, defamed the sheriff, and sowed further division by inserting its opinion into a matter of great importance that was already covered ineptly by its news section.
Kootenai Journal agrees with The Press’ assessment that Sheriff Norris has done a fine job since his election in 2020. However, there is no agreement on who is to blame for the fiasco that played out at the town hall—that honor lies solely with the Democrat antagonist who wilfully defied a lawful order and resisted arrest.
