Ruth Larson: Has Republican Party finally purged all members who respect rule of law?

To The Daily Sun,

A recent letter writer contrasted the two political parties regarding the rule of law in the U.S. The GOP and MAGA crowd want to tear down our system of justice, and refuse to abide by the rule of law, whereas Democrats consistently respect and adhere to both. The parties also differ regarding election results, with the GOP denying all results that favor the other party. Past examples of this contrast include the Democratic Party’s acceptance of Bush v. Gore in 2000, when the U.S. Supreme Court gave the victory to George W. Bush, and Democrats accepting Donald Trump’s electoral victory in 2016 in spite of the popular vote in favor of Clinton. Democrats abided by the 2000 decision and didn’t turn it into a drumbeat claiming everything was rigged. In 2016, no mobs of angry Democrats stormed the Capitol and put many lives at risk. We now know that election was won by fraud, with the felonious victor having committed crimes to deceive American voters. A truly rigged election, it turns out.

A remarkable contrast between Joe Biden and Trump involves their reactions to recent jury verdicts. During and following his criminal conviction in New York, Trump attacked the judicial system, the judge, the jury, the judge’s daughter, and all other participants in our justice system, repeatedly howling about supposed unfairness and rigging. President Biden, in contrast, stated in advance he would not pardon his son if convicted, and his reaction following the verdict has been one of acceptance of the rule of law.

Republicans once put country ahead of party, as when Sen. Margaret Chase Smith stood up to Joe McCarthy and his witch hunts, and when Republicans forced Richard Nixon out in reaction to Watergate. Where are those Republicans now? Has the party finally purged all members who respect the rule of law?

Ruth Larson

Alton