To the editor:
I find it quite disturbing, indeed, to continue to observe the degeneration of the national Republican Party as a result of the obvious massive influence that former President Donald J. Trump continues to have on the GOP, and, as a result, it has increasingly become shockingly disrespectful of the rule of law, public decorum and basic human decency, following the disturbing such precedent which Trump has established as a public figure, which has, unfortunately, been emulated by many of his MAGA sycophants in the U.S. Congress.
It continues to be quite troubling that many Republican federal legislators continue to wholeheartedly support the former president in spite of a myriad of indiscretions for which he has been charged, in particular his call for insurrection in our nation's capital on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to keep him in power despite a significant loss to current President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Furthermore, if Trump did actually believe, somehow, that the aforementioned election was rigged against him, why did he not pursue a lawful investigation that actually did take place as a result of his unsubstantiated charges, as opposed to his directing of a violent overthrow of our federal government?
Graphic examples of the Trump influence on Republican lawmakers include the recently reported incident in which the newly deposed Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy of California reportedly elbowed a fellow Republican, Rep. Tim Burchett of Kentucky, in the kidney, which McCarthy has denied, while stating that if he had indeed done so that Burchett "would have landed on the ground."
In addition, Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a former MMA fighter, recently challenged Teamsters President Sean O'Brien to a physical confrontation during a Senate hearing.
Also, Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York was recently expelled from the House of Representatives by a 311-114 vote (including 105 votes for expulsion by fellow Republicans) due to his inappropriate behavior during the election process, which continued during his tenure in Congress, being only the sixth member of Congress to be so removed by their peers, and, as a result, in pure Trump fashion, Santos has pledged revenge on those he considers responsible for his departure from office in disgrace.
Sadly, such troubling rhetoric and behavior, although extremely rare throughout the history of our great nation, has become quite commonplace recently, as many MAGA Republicans have decided to emulate the words and actions of Trump -- their unquestionable party leader and role model.
Perhaps Trump's MAGA constituents should heed the words of Maryanne Trump Barry, Trump's recently deceased sister, who stated: "It's the phoniness and this cruelty. Donald is cruel. You just can't trust him." This, from an individual who knew Trump as well, if not better, than anyone.
Richard Hord
Martins Ferry