Letters

On January 2, the president demanded that the Georgia secretary of state nullify the results of the presidential election in his state. He did so in the face of two recounts and an audit certifying the results that awarded the state to his rival, Joe Biden — and in possible violation of state and federal law, and in violation of his oath of office to “uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.” He did so in an effort to overthrow the government of the United States.

As appalling as this action by President Trump is, what is incomprehensible is that he is being aided in his efforts by our congressmen, Lee Zeldin.

On December 11, the Supreme Court summarily dismissed an extraordinary lawsuit brought by the state of Texas attempting to overturn the results of this year’s presidential election by nullifying the votes of more than 20 million American citizens in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Their suit was joined in an amicus brief by over 100 Republican members of Congress — including Congressmen Zeldin.

Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, stated in his brief that the Texas suit was “a seditious abuse of the judicial process.” This is what Congressman Zeldin signed on to.

On December 18, Michael Flynn, President Trump’s former national security advisor, suggested that President Trump should declare martial law, throw out the results of the election in those same four swing states and rerun the election.

The same day, President Trump tweeted calling for a protest in Washington on January 6 to coincide with Congress certification of the vote in the Electoral College. There is genuine concern that there will be violence in the capital.

We recently learned that a number of Republican senators will contest the certification of the Electoral College vote. They join similar efforts in the House.

Let’s be clear: Nothing about this is normal. It is extraordinary and unprecedented in American history.

And when Mr. Zeldin spreads falsehoods and outright lies in support of President Trump’s corrupt claims that he won the election, he is doing so to the lasting detriment of our country.

So, what does Congressmen Zeldin believe in? The Constitution? Representative democracy? Free and fair elections? The peaceful transfer of government? Or is he saying that all that matters is his personal ambition and the acquisition of power by any means necessary?

Our collective future relies not simply on the letter of the law but also on common decency, fairness and a belief in our country, its traditions, its institutions. It relies on the actions of individuals, their embrace of democratic principles, their moral compass and personal integrity.

Sadly, so far Representative Zeldin has failed the test.

Peter Solow

Sag Harbor