Editor’s Note: Views from Kansas is a regular feature that highlights editorials and other viewpoints from across the state.

Kansans covet honesty, integrity and compassion. Understandably, they want the folks who represent them to embody the same core values.

Knowing as much, we have a question for Kansas’ congressional delegation: How can you continue to stay silent in the face of President Trump’s boorish behavior?

Every president has had shortcomings and controversies. But others didn’t carry on with the volume of incivility and thoughtlessness we’ve seen from Trump.

Trump’s authoritarian approach and disdain for democratic processes cannot be denied. He’s a bully, and as a result, this nation’s once unparalleled leadership in advancing democratic principles and global interests has been tarnished.

The president of the United States should be honorable, show empathy and respect the rule of law. Trump has trampled on those ideals.

Consider the ongoing Russia probe and spate of indictments of officials tied to Trump — a mess that casts serious doubt over the trustworthiness of all in his circle.

Presidents should be candid and forthcoming. Every American who wants to be a knowledgeable participant in their democracy needs accurate, factual information.

But Trump has scant interest in the truth. His tired cries of “fake news” are self-serving attempts to discredit journalists and others charged with holding government accountable to the people it serves.

We also need our president to be a champion of humanity and human rights. But Trump, who used anti-immigrant sentiment to fuel his campaign, thought it OK to tear immigrant children from their parents as a way to pressure lawmakers into building a border wall.

His rhetoric has been decidedly divisive, and dangerous. He’s been crude and insulting (and that’s putting it mildly) to women, minorities and the disabled.

His recent show of disrespect toward the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who stood up to Trump, was yet another low point.

So, we implore our congressional contingent to publicly rebuke the president’s shameful acts. U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, and U.S. Reps. Kevin Yoder, Lynn Jenkins, Ron Estes and Roger Marshall must do something other than look the other way because Trump’s a fellow Republican.

By speaking out against the president’s constant betrayal of bedrock values of honesty, integrity and compassion — all of which we hold dear in Kansas — our representatives would prove they grasp the importance of those values in their home state.

— Originally published in The Garden City Telegram