To the editor:

The Trump Administration has shown open contempt for the U.S. Constitution and our system of government since the president entered office, but now we perhaps enter a new, even more dangerous stage as we approach the presidential election. Our nerves are frayed badly by COVID-19, a crisis that has been handled poorly by the White House and others, and the country is further fragmented because we cannot agree that institutional racism has been a problem in this country for generations. Into this volatile mixture, Donald Trump starts sending federal agents into cities that already have enough problems in his effort to appear to be a “law and order” candidate. It is not a stretch to wonder if he hopes to exacerbate situations further, provoking more demonstrations. These he could interpret as an opportunity for further federal agents, a major crackdown, and, who knows, maybe a declaration of martial law before the election?

I am not an alarmist. I am a hopeful American who has always believed that we should strive to cultivate the better angels of our nature and live up to the lofty language in our founding documents. However, I have seldom been more afraid for the future of our country.

Paul Laird,

Lawrence