The Press Democrat printed my letter today. The editor deleted the last two short sentences to make me sound a lot nicer than I feel. But I understand why. Staff probably edits out such politically poetic language like “Cult of 47” in comments from “both sides.” I’ve copied my letter below for those who don’t read the Sonoma County daily paper, or are curious.

EDITOR: Here are some suggestions for national lawmakers who decry the recent murderous violence against elected officials and fear for their own safety. (“Threats to lawmakers on rise.” PD 6.18.25). The hateful rhetoric from the mouth of President Trump is inciting criminal behavior, beginning with the January 6 mob who bloodied police and sent congresspeople fleeing. He pardoned those perpetrators, and praised even the worst of them, because they were acting on behalf of his Big Lie.

This was a green light for all threats that followed (9,474 last year according to the Capitol Police). When Donald Trump Jr. made fun of the hammer attack on Rep. Pelosi’s husband, he should have been denounced by in the media. When Mike Lee spewed misinformation, and cruelly mocked the murder of Rep. Melissa Horton, he should have been promptly censured or expelled from the Senate. 

But underlings take example from the top. When asked if he would call Gov. Walz about the attacks on Democratic officials in his state, the US president spewed ugly, disrespectful things; I felt nauseous witnessing his response and the look on his face.  No matter how much security Sen. Chuck Schumer might request, it will never be enough. Members of the cult of 47 will only monkey see, monkey do.

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Last night I watched the 2024 film, The Apprentice, a biopic of Donald Trump’s early career under the tutelage of Roy Cohn. I think the film is a work of art, well- directed, acted and written, and is a powerful historic document that illustrates all manner of psycho-political violence.  Years from now, after we have hopefully survived these times, critics will likely refer to the relevance of this movie directed by Danish-Iranian Ali Abasi. Reviewers might also name the 2020 mini-series The Comey Rule, in which Brendan Gleeson plays Donald J. Trump and Jeff Daniels plays former FBI director James Comey. You might remember that interlude, of the many horrors of presidential term #45, as one also ripe for dramatic interpretation. I’m sure you can name many other scenarios being created even as I write by the likes of Stephen Miller, et al.

Hopefully, if we who are progressive of heart remain free and uncensored, there will be more films-in-development to help us unpack and interpret these deadly times.

I ask that you resist, in the way that suits you best,  the violence, cruelty, injustice and defiance of the rule of law by the Trump administration.