Casting Aside Presidential Norms

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To the Editor:

Re “Under Trump, a Once Unimaginable Presidency Becomes Reality” (“Trump’s Way” series, front page, Dec. 31):

Your article lassoed a variety of views of the Trump presidency. Mr. Trump’s core supporters “cheer his efforts to destroy political correctness.” “He’s empowered the president and made the presidency stronger.” “To him the presidency is about winning, not governing.” “Most presidents see themselves as trustees of democracy…. He has waged war on the institutions of democracy.”

The wordsmiths of the right, addressing a “populist” minority, find ways to frame radical adjustments to the democratic machine as adventures in freethinking, “realness” and feisty independence. Meanwhile, the ship of state staggers off course in the eyes of the world.

President Trump’s loud repetition of catchphrases can’t replace clear, reasoned explanations of policy proposals. Spontaneous combustion is not a useful response to a perceived threat or slight. Ignorant put-downs of institutions that have helped maintain world peace for decades, no matter how entertaining to his base, are shortsighted.

The way we define “acting presidential” might benefit from some updating. But uninformed nervous twitching with a tendency toward retaliation is hardly a way to get along in the world. I’d be happy to see the presidency defined by what worked for presidents 1 through 44.

LESLIE BELL, DAVENPORT, IOWA

To the Editor:

As a voracious reader of presidential history, I realize how much of an impact some individuals have made on the executive branch and how little others have made. President Trump is no student of history, nor does he take even a thimble full of interest in it. His world revolves completely around him and those completely devoted to him.

As far as some Americans are concerned, Mr. Trump is “genuine,” “accessible,” “one of us.” I don’t know what version of reality these people are living in. We are not electing the next-door neighbor or the plumber. I want someone who can give me and the United States hope, a sense of accomplishment and cooperation. I am seeing nothing like that. Mr. Trump wants what is best for Mr. Trump, and the sooner people wise up and understand that reality, the better.

My only hope is that our traditional checks and balances among the judicial, legislative and executive branches will continue to rein in a man who shows little respect for checks and balances.

BART BAKER, ORADELL, N.J.

To the Editor:

Your reporter writes a lot about protocol and procedure, but not enough about character and morality. President Trump lies, boasts, cheats, bullies and mocks. He lacks competency, curiosity, empathy, integrity and morality. His mocking of a disabled reporter and his ignoring the Puerto Rican mayor’s cries for help aptly define him. (And let’s not forget his sexual misconduct.)

Nothing could render Mr. Trump “presidential,” and it is folly to consider him in those terms. That anyone could admire these traits is beyond me.

JOAN MERRILL
BELLEVUE, WASH.

To the Editor:

Your article takes Donald Trump’s presidency seriously, as we must, and appropriately recognizes its unprecedented and problematic nature, but you come dangerously close to normalizing a very abnormal situation.

History shows that it is possible for a person with serious pathology to have popular appeal and to gain control of a nation’s government, and what can happen when one does. Those who think that this is not the case in our country now are mistaken, and our country could pay a price for a tacit acceptance of this situation.

JAMIE BALDWIN
REDDING, CONN.

To the Editor:

Any analysis of the Trump presidency, and the ways in which it differs from or upends the norms of previous administrations and the traditional support of the pillars of our democracy, should include the astounding fact that this president is a mythomaniac who either cares nothing for the truth or, in service of his bottomless narcissism, holds truth to be irrelevant.

As a clinical psychologist, I have seen the damage wrought in relationships by dishonesty and self-serving cognitive and communication distortions, and the consequences of failing to deal bravely with reality in order to protect a fragile and damaged ego. Ignorance of policy consequences, sexism, racism, and a disdain for intellectual achievement and science are all frightening enough in a president, but absurdly obvious pathological lying is an Orwellian nightmare. We “normalize” this man and his presidency at our peril.

ELIZABETH L. BENJAMIN
BOULDER, COLO.

To the Editor:

Many thanks for a comprehensive, accurate and superb description of President Trump. This country is saddled with a leader who is tearing our society apart. It sickens me that the Republican Party and its leaders can support a man who cares so little for basic human values. I only pray that the 2018 elections will result in a resounding rejection of the president’s agenda, and that Democratic and progressive candidates will retake Congress.

SAM SIMON, SOUTH NYACK, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Re “The Limits of the Reality TV Presidency,” by Jon Meacham (Op-Ed, Dec. 30):

Yes, too much exposure can in fact be withering for an individual. But the extremities of President Trump’s exposure may not have yet been reached. The article points to Senator Joseph McCarthy and his anti-Communism crusade as an example of what the end is for overexposure. But there are other, and I believe more apropos, examples from history — namely Hitler and Mussolini, loud buffoons sweeping up all sorts of grievances and actual hardships into their theatrics.

Mr. McCarthy was only a senator, whereas Mr. Trump is the infinitely more powerful president. The flaws and limits inherent in overexposure are boredom and attenuation of message — not weakening of power. Though Mr. Trump can suffer in some way from overexposure, his power — his scope of action — remains undiminished. It is not Mr. Trump’s overexposure that should concern anyone, but his juvenile, often alarming, often puzzling dramatics and his ignorance. I’m more concerned about being nuked than bored.

HENRY BERRY
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

To the Editor:

In “The Limits of the Reality TV Presidency,” there are two quotes that warrant our attention. First, President Dwight D. Eisenhower on leadership: “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. Any damn fool can do that, but it’s usually called ‘assault’ — not ‘leadership.’ I’ll tell you what leadership is. It’s persuasion, and conciliation, and education, and patience. It’s long, slow, tough work.”

Second, Joseph N. Welch, an opposing lawyer against Senator Joseph McCarthy: “You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

Unfortunately these two quotes are as pertinent today. I find it unconscionable that the Republican leadership accepts President Trump’s behavior. On Aug. 7, 1974, three courageous Republicans held an intervention with then President Richard M. Nixon to let him know that he had lost the support of Congress. I say to our Republican leaders: “Have you no decency?” Where is your courage and integrity, or does political expediency supersede what’s best for our country?

KENNETH OLSHANSKY
GLEN ALLEN, VA.

To the Editor:

In his otherwise wonderful article about how effective leaders have traditionally communicated, Jon Meacham did not mention the modern disappearance of the nationally televised, prime-time presidential address from the Oval Office, whose absence perhaps speaks to the diminished status or power of the presidency today.

Personally, I have missed this sort of formal, ritualized communication from our top leader. But I have to admit that I am willing to wait for its return until after President Trump leaves office.

PAUL THEIS, CEDARBURG, WIS.