As a social studies teacher, I spent considerable time covering U.S. government. Our three branches of government and system of checks and balances are in place to ensure the democratic process runs efficiently and no one branch or person abuses their Constitutional powers.

Pretend you’re a fifth-grade student. The class is asked if a president should possess good character. I say with confidence that you, along with all others, would respond, “Yes!”

Following the election in 2020, our president declared the election had been stolen and challenged election results. Over 60 courts, including the United States Supreme Court, sent a clear message. There was not enough evidence to overturn the election results.

On January 6, our Commander in Chief ignored the courts’ rulings and told those invited to his rally that if they didn’t fight like hell, they wouldn’t have a country anymore. Congress and Mike Pence were just obeying their Constitutional duty to certify the election results, but they, along with Capitol Police, were put in harm’s way. Finally, the president told rioters to go home and said, “We love you. You’re very special.”

Interestingly, on January 7, Trump gave a very different message. “I would like to begin by addressing the heinous attack on the United States Capitol. Like all Americans, I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem. The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”

Based on lies, Donald Trump threw the legislative branch, his vice president, and Capitol Police under the bus on the 6th. The very next day, to protect himself, he did the same to the very special ones he loved.

Moving to the present, those who “will pay” are now “hostages” to be released, and January 6, he says, was “a day of love.” Vengeance is promised to those that oppose him.

“Class, based on character, is Donald Trump fit to be President of the United States of America?”

Wesley Holmes

Jim Thorpe