Mr. President, have you no sense of decency?

I am old enough to know remember Attorney Joseph Welch’s memorable reproof of Sen. Joe McCarthy during the Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954: “Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”

Their exchange has been brought to mind often these past several months while listening to President Trump’s shamefully bigoted speech and behavior. His latest response in defense of the white supremacists’ bellicose demonstrations in Charlottesville has prompted this letter.

It is an understatement to say that the President’s speech and actions have not befitted the highest office of the United States of America. They are indicative of one intentionally ignorant of the rule of law, enshrined in our Constitution. Worse, the President appears to deliberately seek to divide us as a country, one group against another, in contradiction of the promise of our nation’s founders, that We the People are one nation, with liberty and justice for all.

Mr. President, have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Mr. President, have you no sense of decency?."