Trump's actions disqualify him to serve as president

My fellow Republicans,

On election night 2016, while driving home from work, it became clear that Donald Trump would become the 43rd president. That same evening, as an adult Boy Scout leader, I had the privilege of giving the weekly meeting's “Scoutmaster Minute,” which is intended to be a short inspirational thought to carry the boys through the week ahead.

I told the boys that the beauty of our country was that, despite political differences, we would have a peaceful transfer of power, because that is who we are as Americans. And we did — in 2016. Fast forward to January 2021, and I had to eat my words when a Trump-led coup d'etat attempted to violently overthrow a duly elected president. 

Is that the America we want, where violence replaces the rule of law? How can we Republicans continue to support Trump who is a twice-impeached, treasonous insurrectionist, convicted felon, proven sexual offender, six-time bankrupt businessman, and a genuinely nasty person? Is that really who you want as the leader of the free world?

If you choose Trump as your president, you are aiding and abetting his crimes. Think again before coloring in that box for president.

DANIEL J. HALEY

Sandpoint