To the editor:

President Trump has been the target of accusations that he colluded with Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election. After 10 months of multiple investigations, no hard facts have emerged to establish the charges, speculation and commentary.

This reminds me of the hysteria that occurred in 1692-1693 in Salem Village in Massachusetts. Emerson W. Baker’s 2015 book, “A Storm of Witchcraft,” is an excellent source about the events called the Salem witch trials: 20 were executed, five died in prison, 156 were formally accused, and many others later died or were severely injured in captivity.

A small group of girls claimed to have suffered “spectral attacks” that were invisible to all except those afflicted. Many were accused because they were “tainted” by physical defects or “odd” behavior. Some were accused to have “payback” or to grab property from the condemned. The main problem for the defendant was how could they prove the negative? It is not possible.

Two of the executed were my ancestors, Sarah and Samuel Wardwell. Another relative died in captivity. Another female relative protested the abuse by going naked to church.

If one assigns Trump the role of the devil, and his team as his demonic disciples, the leakers and media as the girls, and conservatives as the tainted, then, indeed, Trump is on target to refer to the current hysteria as a witch hunt. Perhaps we need to stop demonizing our opponents.