We now learn that President Trump reportedly was briefed on Jan. 6, 2017, by national intelligence professionals about Russian hacking efforts into the 2016 election that likely contributed to his win (“Confusion lingers on Trump, Russia,” Page A1, July 19). His public response has been to continually and vociferously contend that his win was completely legitimate. As time has gone on, more evidence is emerging about Russian interference, and the president continues to insist that he had nothing to do with it. The phrase “protesting too much” comes to mind.
This also raises an interesting thought experiment: If there was no collusion, but the Russians interfered on Trump’s behalf solely to further what they perceived were their own interests, what would a truly ethical and patriotic president have done upon learning of that profound threat to our democracy?
Here is one scenario: He would have (1) made that threat publicly known during his inaugural address, (2) acknowledged that there might be a question about the legitimacy of the election results and therefore his presidency, (3) and therefore, vowed to serve just one term, (4) while making the cybersecurity of the United States the primary focus of that term.
Susan LaMar
Uxbridge
