Don’t give Trump a second act

This is the only time in my memory that so many people who were close to a U.S. president have come out publicly to denounce his run for re-election. From his vice president on down the chain, there are endless stories of his pettiness, greed, racism, criminal activity, and generally vile behavior. Prominent Republicans such as Liz Cheney have said Trump is profoundly unfit for office. Some of these people were around him on a daily basis.

However, our entire congressional delegation is not counted among those willing to speak the truth. When Trump was convicted by a jury of his peers of 34 felonies, our senators and representatives reacted in a display of unanimous bootlicking. “Weaponization of the justice system,” “sham trial” and “two-tiered justice system” were some of the terms tossed around. Rep. Ashley Hinson falsely accused President Biden of orchestrating Trump’s prosecution, although the charges were brought by a state prosecutor.

As these lawmakers come up for re-election, we have the opportunity to replace them with Democrats, who have no reason to fear Donald Trump.

Jerry B. Chilton

Cedar Rapids