President-elect Trump is the first elected official in whose egregious character, I can find nothing to respect. His reprehensible qualities have been so well and often described by others, I need not detail them here. However, since I cannot live in this country isolated from the consequences of his election, I have to determine how to go forward as a responsible, active citizen under his administration. With this problem in mind, I have two concerns to bring to your attention.
The first is that since Trump is an habitual liar, nothing he (or his spokespeople) say can be believed. Therefore, any assertion of fact he makes, must be presumed untrue unless verified. Everything he says or tweets must be assumed to be distorted reality. Consequently, we must be in a continual mode of distrust and suspicion toward Trump and his administration. Although many members of Congress disagreed with or railed against him during the primaries or denounced him prior to the election, they now appear to welcome and accept him. To what extent, then, can I trust members of Congress?
The second concern is Trump’s ownership of vast amounts of wealth in investments, companies, and real estate. Disclosure of all his holdings is mandatory. His proclivity for sly self-dealing is well documented through the Trump Foundation, Trump “University”, the Miss Universe pageants, etc. He seems unable to engage in any activity which doesn’t increase his personal fortune. I do not believe he will be able to separate the needs, interests, and goals of the United States from his desire to enhance his own fortune.
Nor is his proposal to give control of his wealth to members of his family any kind of barrier. Family members’ business affairs are intertwined with the Trump enterprises, and his children and in-laws are involved with him on a daily basis, personally and politically. That they will discuss his business as well as political matters with him is a foregone conclusion.
Therefore, legislative safeguards must be put in place as soon as possible. Congress should insist that Trump sever all ties to his holdings and that they be managed by persons totally unconnected to Trump and his family. In doing so, Congress would be exercising its constitutional power to restrain executive overreach. And it is vital for Congress to require total divestiture. Otherwise, at risk will be a further decline in people’s confidence.
How long can a republic like ours last when distrust, lies, and corruption are endemic at its highest level? I fear for the future. Thus, as your constituent, I bring these concerns to your attention in the hope that you will use your good offices to address them.
Sincerely,
Bonnie F. Fisher, Ph.D.
Concerned citizen of Bloomington, IN