(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

President Trump is currently creating chaos by intentionally issuing multiple illegal executive actions that must be challenged in federal court. He is illegally canceling programs enacted by Congress, terrorizing our federal employees by illegal/random firings and alienating our long-term international allies while cozying up with Russian President Putin. I do not think anyone can honestly say why he is explicitly aligned with President Putin, a murderous dictator, against the interests of our country and our allies. President Trump casually lies to the American public during every speech and opportunity he has. He is now trying to prevent coverage of his administration by news media who challenge his lies and ask pertinent questions. Unless citizens make it their duty to verify his statements, they will not hear the truth. A very sad commentary about the President of the United States, but true.

I predict his actions are in furtherance of his plan, before the next presidential election, to declare a “state of emergency” and/or declare “martial law” in his attempt to take total control of our government, effectively ending our democracy. This may be possible because of the chaos he is creating in the courts that are being tied up litigating what he can and cannot do, his elimination of opposition in the executive branch by mass/random firings, and in his total takeover of the Republican Congress making his impeachment highly unlikely. Add with that the international chaos he is fomenting with our long-time allies and the stage is set.

For too long we have ASSUMED that we have three co-equal branches of government. We have never had that. Our country has been able to function with that assumption ONLY with the acquiescence of our earlier presidents, and the threat of their impeachment by the House of Representatives and their conviction in the U.S. Senate. Now we have a president who does not accept the equal powers doctrine. The president has always had the powerful responsibility to enforce the laws Congress passed, obey federal court opinions, and enforce their orders. Now, however, President Trump has succeeded in gaining control of the spineless Republicans in Congress by “dark money” to threaten their continued service by primarying those who get out of line. He has compromised the impartiality of the Supreme Court by his appointment of three ultra conservatives to the bench. I predict he will soon start delaying, half enforcing or totally ignoring court orders that keeps him from carrying out his goal. If we all “stand back and stand by,” to coin a phrase, he will certainly not deviate from his treasonous path.

I am hopeful he will not be successful, but there may be blood in the streets before Trump is stopped and damage to our country that may take decades to heal.

We must all do what we can, using the wisdom and ability that we have, to stop the traitor who presently occupies the White House!

John D. Gainer

Parkersburg