Letter: Maduro in America

Former President Donald Trump is America’s Nicolas Maduro. Like the Venezuelan dictator, Trump lost an election but refused to accept defeat. The difference is that U.S. military leaders stood with the Constitution, and not with Trump. That is why America is still a democracy, while Venezuela descends into hell.

If you are wondering why military leaders did not support Trump’s claims about the election, look at what they have said about him. Trump’s defense secretary, James Mattis, called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit.” Former Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly said Trump “has nothing but contempt” for the rule of law. Retired four-star Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey called Trump “a serious threat to U.S. national security.” Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley called Trump a “wannabe dictator.”

Someone who does not respect the election process should be automatically disqualified from elective office, period. Our democracy depends on it.

Mark Fernald

Sharon