March 29, 2024

Why does GOP defend Trump?

If stories coming out of Washington are to be believed, President Trump’s associates describe his behavior as childish. He throws temper tantrums, constantly tells fibs to make himself look good, refuses ever to admit mistakes, uses mean names to label people he doesn’t like and demands constant praise and reassurance from his underlings.

These stories are easy to believe because anyone paying attention to the news has heard countless examples of Trump’s inappropriate and childish behavior. A recent flagrant example is his use of a barnyard vulgarity (one I’m embarrassed to quote in my letter) to describe Haiti, El Salvador and several unnamed African countries.

The thing is, if one of my own children or grandchildren were to behave in that way (I’m the same age as the president), I would be appalled. I would sit down and have a serious conversation with the child, explaining such behavior is shameful and completely unacceptable. We don’t say things like that in our family, it isn’t respectful of other people.

I have some questions, then, for Republican public officials in Iowa, including Sen. Grassley, Sen. Ernst, Gov. Reynolds, and Reps. Blum and Young. Are you appalled by the president’s behavior? Does he speak for you? Do you feel comfortable with the blatant racism he exhibits? Would you want your own children and grandchildren to imitate the president? Does he make you proud to be an American?

If not, why are you still tolerating the president’s behavior? He is, in fact, your man. You have supported him, and he is the head of your party. Whether you like it or not, he speaks for you. And you have the power, if you got together with your colleagues, to impeach him and relieve him of his office on any number​ of Constitutional grounds.

Until you face the voters again, you have a responsibility to represent all Iowans, not just die-hard supporters of the president who still seem amused by his antics or ultra-rich campaign contributors who apparently share the president’s core values of living only for money, power, fame and sex.

Why, I want to know, have Iowa’s Republican officeholders let the president get away with behavior that is unacceptable even for a child?

Kent McClelland

Grinnell