(The following is an article published today in our local newspaper with a distribution size of 76 thousand readers.)
Today, we have taken a vital step in ensuring that the voices of our community are heard. A statement has been published in our local newspaper—a message of hope, resilience, and determination—to ignite a movement within our state and county. Our purpose is clear: to stand against Donald Trump and all he represents, to reject the corruption and division that have taken root in our nation, and to demand leadership that reflects the values of integrity, equality, and justice.
This is not just about opposing one man; it is about reclaiming our democracy from the clutches of authoritarianism and self-interest. Trump’s actions have shown time and again his disregard for truth, his exploitation of power, and his dangerous ambitions. As citizens, we cannot stand idly by while the foundations of our democracy are eroded. We must unite to hold him accountable and ensure his grip on our country is broken.
Let this statement be a rallying cry. Together, we can turn the tide—here in our state, in our county, and across the nation. We will not give up. We will not stop until Trump is out of office, until his influence is diminished, and until we restore the principles that make this nation strong.
This is our moment to act, to organize, and to speak out. The road ahead may be long and difficult, but we draw strength from our shared commitment to building a better future. With your support, we can create a movement that sparks real change, one community at a time.
Join us. Let your voice be heard. Together, we will prevail.
~
At the stroke of noon, the oath was taken—a moment that should symbolize solemn commitment to the Constitution. But in Donald Trump’s hands, those words ring hollow, a charade draped in corruption, deceit, and disregard for the very values they are meant to uphold. Trump’s tenure, from his business empire to his time in office, is a sordid tale of exploitation, manipulation, and authoritarian ambition.
The man who once called himself “the most successful” businessman turned out to be a figure mired in scandals and criminality. In March 2023, he became the first former president in American history to face criminal charges—34 felony counts stemming from falsified business records tied to hush money payments during the 2016 election. These payments, made to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels and others, epitomize Trump’s modus operandi: deception at any cost to protect his image.
These charges are but one piece of the puzzle. His entire business empire is a testament to exploitation. Contractors and small business owners were routinely stiffed, driven into bankruptcy while Trump basked in the glow of gold-plated towers. His fraudulent schemes didn’t stop there. The Trump Foundation, masquerading as a charity, was exposed for misusing donations to settle legal disputes, fund his campaign, and even purchase gaudy portraits of himself. It was ultimately dissolved, with Trump ordered to pay $2 million in damages. His brazen tax fraud, laid bare by The New York Times, revealed decades of lies, shady valuations, and tax dodging that would land any ordinary American in prison.
His abuse of power extends beyond dollars and cents. Over 20 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, and the E. Jean Carroll trial in 2023 found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Yet Trump dismisses these voices with the same contempt he reserves for truth itself, amplifying a culture where power shields predators from accountability.
But Trump’s ambitions go far beyond personal enrichment. His four years in the White House laid bare his authoritarian tendencies. He openly praised despots like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, admiring their unchallenged power. He wistfully mused about extending his presidency, declaring, “Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.” The media became his enemy, dissent his target, and democracy his obstacle. His infamous rallying cry to the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” and his refusal to unequivocally condemn white supremacist groups emboldened extremists. Charlottesville’s horror—the death of a protester at the hands of a white nationalist—was met with his vile declaration: “There were very fine people on both sides.”
Nowhere was his disdain for democracy more apparent than on January 6, 2021, when Trump incited a deadly insurrection at the Capitol. “Fight like hell,” he told his supporters, as they stormed the halls of Congress to overturn a lawful election. This was no isolated event but the culmination of months of lies, conspiracies, and calculated moves to cling to power. His pressuring of Georgia officials to “find” votes, his attempted interference in the Department of Justice, and his embrace of false electors were all pieces of a larger scheme.
Trump’s tenure ignored not just norms but the law itself. He placed family members in key positions, disregarded conflicts of interest, and exploited his office for personal gain. Foreign governments booked rooms in his hotels, his business profited from taxpayer-funded events, and ethics became little more than a joke. His disregard for national security was evident in his hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, treating sensitive information as personal souvenirs.
The man himself is a reflection of his actions: small, petty, and dangerous. He flouts accountability, undermines institutions, and manipulates those who believe his every word. His support of white nationalism, cruelty toward immigrants, and attacks on marginalized communities reveal a leader whose vision for America is exclusionary and regressive. His presidency was a wrecking ball aimed at the very core of what democracy stands for, and his lingering influence remains a threat.
The future under Trump is a forewarning of deeper chaos. He thrives on division, feeds on the destruction of norms, and openly declares his disdain for the limits of power. As he eyes another term, his intentions are clear: to transform the presidency into a dictatorship. His own words betray him—he has repeatedly admired leaders who rule for life and expressed a desire to do the same. His return to power would be a catastrophe for democracy, one marked by more corruption, more destruction, and the entrenchment of authoritarianism.
History will not be kind to Donald Trump, nor should it be. The damage he has done—whether to democratic norms, the rule of law, or the lives of ordinary Americans—is monumental. The scars of his tenure will remain long after he is gone, a chilling reminder of what happens when power is wielded without integrity. The fight to repair this nation begins with recognizing the darkness he brought and ensuring it is never allowed to take root again.
Today, we have taken a vital step in ensuring that the voices of our community are heard. A statement has been published in our local newspaper—a message of hope, resilience, and determination—to ignite a movement within our state and county. Our purpose is clear: to stand against Donald Trump and all he represents, to reject the corruption and division that have taken root in our nation, and to demand leadership that reflects the values of integrity, equality, and justice.
This is not just about opposing one man; it is about reclaiming our democracy from the clutches of authoritarianism and self-interest. Trump’s actions have shown time and again his disregard for truth, his exploitation of power, and his dangerous ambitions. As citizens, we cannot stand idly by while the foundations of our democracy are eroded. We must unite to hold him accountable and ensure his grip on our country is broken.
Let this statement be a rallying cry. Together, we can turn the tide—here in our state, in our county, and across the nation. We will not give up. We will not stop until Trump is out of office, until his influence is diminished, and until we restore the principles that make this nation strong.
This is our moment to act, to organize, and to speak out. The road ahead may be long and difficult, but we draw strength from our shared commitment to building a better future. With your support, we can create a movement that sparks real change, one community at a time.
Join us. Let your voice be heard. Together, we will prevail.
~
At the stroke of noon, the oath was taken—a moment that should symbolize solemn commitment to the Constitution. But in Donald Trump’s hands, those words ring hollow, a charade draped in corruption, deceit, and disregard for the very values they are meant to uphold. Trump’s tenure, from his business empire to his time in office, is a sordid tale of exploitation, manipulation, and authoritarian ambition.
The man who once called himself “the most successful” businessman turned out to be a figure mired in scandals and criminality. In March 2023, he became the first former president in American history to face criminal charges—34 felony counts stemming from falsified business records tied to hush money payments during the 2016 election. These payments, made to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels and others, epitomize Trump’s modus operandi: deception at any cost to protect his image.
These charges are but one piece of the puzzle. His entire business empire is a testament to exploitation. Contractors and small business owners were routinely stiffed, driven into bankruptcy while Trump basked in the glow of gold-plated towers. His fraudulent schemes didn’t stop there. The Trump Foundation, masquerading as a charity, was exposed for misusing donations to settle legal disputes, fund his campaign, and even purchase gaudy portraits of himself. It was ultimately dissolved, with Trump ordered to pay $2 million in damages. His brazen tax fraud, laid bare by The New York Times, revealed decades of lies, shady valuations, and tax dodging that would land any ordinary American in prison.
His abuse of power extends beyond dollars and cents. Over 20 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, and the E. Jean Carroll trial in 2023 found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Yet Trump dismisses these voices with the same contempt he reserves for truth itself, amplifying a culture where power shields predators from accountability.
But Trump’s ambitions go far beyond personal enrichment. His four years in the White House laid bare his authoritarian tendencies. He openly praised despots like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, admiring their unchallenged power. He wistfully mused about extending his presidency, declaring, “Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.” The media became his enemy, dissent his target, and democracy his obstacle. His infamous rallying cry to the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” and his refusal to unequivocally condemn white supremacist groups emboldened extremists. Charlottesville’s horror—the death of a protester at the hands of a white nationalist—was met with his vile declaration: “There were very fine people on both sides.”
Nowhere was his disdain for democracy more apparent than on January 6, 2021, when Trump incited a deadly insurrection at the Capitol. “Fight like hell,” he told his supporters, as they stormed the halls of Congress to overturn a lawful election. This was no isolated event but the culmination of months of lies, conspiracies, and calculated moves to cling to power. His pressuring of Georgia officials to “find” votes, his attempted interference in the Department of Justice, and his embrace of false electors were all pieces of a larger scheme.
Trump’s tenure ignored not just norms but the law itself. He placed family members in key positions, disregarded conflicts of interest, and exploited his office for personal gain. Foreign governments booked rooms in his hotels, his business profited from taxpayer-funded events, and ethics became little more than a joke. His disregard for national security was evident in his hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, treating sensitive information as personal souvenirs.
The man himself is a reflection of his actions: small, petty, and dangerous. He flouts accountability, undermines institutions, and manipulates those who believe his every word. His support of white nationalism, cruelty toward immigrants, and attacks on marginalized communities reveal a leader whose vision for America is exclusionary and regressive. His presidency was a wrecking ball aimed at the very core of what democracy stands for, and his lingering influence remains a threat.
The future under Trump is a forewarning of deeper chaos. He thrives on division, feeds on the destruction of norms, and openly declares his disdain for the limits of power. As he eyes another term, his intentions are clear: to transform the presidency into a dictatorship. His own words betray him—he has repeatedly admired leaders who rule for life and expressed a desire to do the same. His return to power would be a catastrophe for democracy, one marked by more corruption, more destruction, and the entrenchment of authoritarianism.
History will not be kind to Donald Trump, nor should it be. The damage he has done—whether to democratic norms, the rule of law, or the lives of ordinary Americans—is monumental. The scars of his tenure will remain long after he is gone, a chilling reminder of what happens when power is wielded without integrity. The fight to repair this nation begins with recognizing the darkness he brought and ensuring it is never allowed to take root again.
