(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Letter to the Editor)

Trump and the Attorney General should be indicted for malicious prosecution, violating their oaths of office, and wasting taxpayer money on what are, in my view, obviously vindictive prosecutions. What won’t a person do for power? It seems that some now serving in Donald Trump’s administration would sell their souls to maintain their positions of power. Be wary, at the local level, of candidates who change their party registration to further their own desire for power rather than to serve the public honestly.

Voting Trump out is not sufficient. He should be investigated and, if warranted, indicted for multiple crimes. Likewise, those who may have committed illegal acts at his direction should also be held accountable. When Democrats regain a majority in the House of Representatives in November, they may pursue impeachment consistent with their constitutional responsibilities, regardless of whether the U.S. Senate ultimately convicts.

Prosecutions of Trump and his associates may ultimately fall to individual states for crimes that violate state laws. Even if Trump were to issue broad pardons for himself and his associates, such pardons would not apply to state-level charges. Moreover, blanket pardons might be found unconstitutional, exposing his associates to prosecution for their crimes.

If you are not concerned about those in power who abuse their authority by using the Department of Justice to target perceived enemies, it may be worth paying closer attention and considering the broader consequences of such actions for constitutional principles and democratic norms.

I have never seen anyone more deserving of being held accountable than Donald J. Trump. In my view, he is an incompetent, dangerous, mean, and vindictive individual who should never have been allowed to serve in public office. His tenure has been shameful, and he has brought great dishonor and embarrassment to our country. Trump is a threat to our democracy and to world peace. Vote Democratic to show that Wood County isn’t fooled by those seeking office for their own benefit rather than serving the public!

John D. Gainer

Parkersburg