Hunter’s hometown paper demands his resignation in blistering editorial: ‘Corrupt to the point of caricature’

GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter’s (Calif.) hometown newspaper, the San Diego Union-Tribune, called for his prompt resignation following his indictment for alleged misuse of campaign funds.

The lawmaker, one of President Trump’s earliest congressional supporters, and his wife were charged Tuesday with misusing funds and falsifying campaign records.

The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote that the details in the Justice Department indictment show that Hunter has become “corrupt to the point of caricature.”

The indictment details the Hunters’ alleged spending of more than $250,000 in campaign donations on personal expenses, including vacations, dental work, private school tuition for their kids and expensive meals.

{mosads}The paper’s editorial board wrote Tuesday night that Hunter squandered “a golden opportunity to be a successful, influential national politician.”

“Hunter badly lost his way, seemingly becoming corrupt to the point of caricature,” the editorial reads. “His once-promising political career is now in ruins as a result.”

The Union-Tribune called on Hunter to resign, and said that the editorial board hopes local and national Republicans “do not enable this bogus story line with blind loyalty to Hunter.”

“He has disgraced himself more thoroughly than his critics ever could,” the board wrote. “He doesn’t deserve the privilege of representing Californians in Congress.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday that he was removing Hunter from all committee assignments, but a House GOP source told The Hill that Hunter is not voluntarily stepping down, and House Republicans may have to forcibly remove him.

Hunter has denied the charges, claiming that he is the victim of a Justice Department political “witch hunt.”