PG executive editor David M. Shribman hit the nail on the head when he pointed out Donald Trump’s lack of respect for precedent and diminished deference for his predecessors (May 13 column, “The Presidential Predecessor Precedent”). One could argue that Mr. Trump approaches his office like no one else who served before him. Whether this approach is good or bad remains to be seen.
But I believe this points to a larger character issue that all Americans should be concerned about that could have ramifications for generations to come: Mr. Trump’s utter lack of respect for anyone regardless of their status and accomplishments for American society and the willingness of his supporters to buy into his hyperbole.
After the 2016 election, despite being devastated by the results, I was willing to give Mr. Trump a chance. I believed that if he turned away from the divisiveness of his campaign and focused on bringing all Americans together by working on issues that affect all Americans, he might be able to pull this off. What struck me early on, making it quite evident this would not be possible, was his continued and often vicious attacks against his predecessor, Barack Obama, and anyone who he deemed in opposition to any position or opinion he had.
Past presidents clearly had differences of opinion when it came to policy. That comes with the territory. But in Mr. Trump’s case, he takes it a step further and demonizes his predecessors to fuel a perception that only he has the ability to grasp the complex nuances of the office.
We speak of living in a civil society, but how is that possible when the person who is responsible for setting the tone and tenor of that conversation has no concept of what being civil means?
Mr. Trump wants us to believe he can and will be a great president, one who works for the greater good of the country. If that occurs, so be it. But until Mr. Trump learns to be a great and good person who respects precedent and learns to refrain from undermining the words and works of those who served before him, he will never earn the level of deference associated with his office—nor should he.
DAN BABUSCIO
Monroeville
