To the editor:
Law professor Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and Justice Department official, may be right in his assessment that ex-FBI Director James B. Comey's sins don't measure up to President Trump's. But he's missing a larger point. ("Comey's no angel, but unlike Trump, he's not a threat to the republic," Opinion, April 16)
Comey, like so many Trump detractors, makes the unpardonable sin of getting down in the mud with the president. Trump takes on all opponents in the same manner, most responding in the same manner, thus reducing them to playing his game of mudslinging.
Aside from people who pay attention only to the basic dishonesty and complete lack of character of Donald Trump or simply believe in the Republican Party, most people remain disinterested and likely will not be persuaded that Trump's behavior is anything other than politics as usual.
Trump's possible criminal behavior is not the issue; what's important is that he is leading the nation's political discourse in a way that may irreparably damage our democracy.
Greg Ryan, Woodland Hills
