Phil Keith’s latest column, “A Box Of Chocolates” [Mostly Right, Opinion, June 4], certainly hits the nail on its head regarding the current state of affairs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The actions of Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley on Monday, June 1, were disgraceful. Mr. Trump’s actions remind me of Louis XIV’s attitude: “L’etat c’est moi,” “I am the state.” The use of paramilitary force to break up peaceful protesters, enabling a despotic Donald Trump to be photographed in front of St. John’s Church holding a Bible, is the height of narcissism.
Should the election results this fall go against him, I have a growing sense of dread and apprehension that Trump might not accept the results, citing election fraud due to the use of absentee ballots because of the COVID-19 virus precautions.
Will we see a repeat of Monday’s reprehensible actions in November should Trump refuse to acknowledge the will of the people? As Lord Acton stated in the 19th century, “Power tends to corrupt, and total power corrupts absolutely.”
Trump has been corrupt since his real estate dealings in the 1970s. Are you surprised? I’m not.
Stephen M. Wisnoski
Westhampton
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