EDITORIAL: A constitutional sheriff, by the book

Much has been written in recent days about Shoshone County Sheriff Shawn Wehr, both before and after his appointment. One phrase appearing prominently in his campaign materials has drawn particular attention and some concern: 

Shawn Wehr, a Constitutional Sheriff for Shoshone County. 

In North Idaho, the word “constitutional” has taken on layered meanings that can make some voters uneasy. Over time, the term has been associated locally with political movements that emphasize resistance to federal authority and skepticism of centralized power. As a result, some readers may interpret it as signaling views that extend beyond a traditional commitment to the rule of law. 

In this regional context, self‑described constitutionalists are often understood to hold strong doubts about the scope of federal government authority, particularly regarding three-letter agencies such as the FBI, ATF and EPA. Supporters of this view argue that such agencies at times exceed constitutional limits and that local officials and citizens should act as a check on that authority. 

While that may be true in some instances, it can become a slippery slope when it becomes a political ideology.  

Before assuming that Sheriff Wehr aligns with this interpretation, it is worth asking him directly what he means when he uses the term. 

His explanation is straightforward. Wehr has said that, as sheriff, he views his responsibility as enforcing the law and protecting the rights guaranteed to Americans, regardless of personal agreement with those laws. In his view, the role requires fidelity to established legal processes and respect for constitutional protections. 

That position aligns with the more widely accepted definition of constitutionalism: the belief that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, that government power is limited by its framework, and that individual rights are safeguarded through the separation of powers and the courts. 

Seen through that lens, the term reflects a conventional understanding of public service rather than a political statement, offering a clarification to a phrase that can carry different meanings depending on context.