Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Editor,

Donald Trump is weaponizing the U.S. government against anyone he believes might oppose his authoritarian ambitions.

He enlisted the Justice Department, the FBI, and the IRS to target and punish those who previously opposed him – Hillary Clinton, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinsinger, General Mark Milley, and many others.

He ordered the Justice Department to attack judges who he perceives oppose him including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Judges Amy Jackson, Jon Tigar, and Hannah Dugan.

Trump threatened to terminate government contracts for law firms that investigated him in the past and has threatened to bar their lawyers from all federal buildings and any interactions with federal employees.

He threatened funding cuts to private and public universities – including Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Michigan, and Northwestern – if they don’t accept his demands that include doing away with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which schools use to create an inclusive environment on campus as well as for our society in general.

Republicans who hold elected offices in state and federal legislatures have been almost entirely compliant with Trump’s authoritarian actions.

Recently, the U.S. House passed legislation called the SAVE act, requiring picture ID to prove citizenship when voting making it much more difficult for millions of Americans. During questioning about similar legislation in Michigan, Congressman Tim Walberg was asked about individuals unable to afford a $200 passport to prove their citizenship in order to vote. Walberg replied: “Well, then they shouldn’t be voting”.  Two conservative think tanks found only 77 non-citizens voting in U.S. federal elections from 1999-2023.

Stay informed.  Call your US Congressperson and Senators and attend their town halls. Question why our laws are disregarded.  Ask them to stop the spreading of lies about illegal voting.  Ask them to stop Trump from weaponizing government agencies and using fear tactics.

Ken Peterson

MAJ U.S. Army (Ret.)

Buchanan