The Trump administration’s disregard for existing law is demonstrable. In the Flores decision, the government can detain asylum-seekers for up to 72 hours - no more. Trump and his minions routinely incarcerate refugees (including children) for several weeks. Asylum requests are recognized as a right under U.S. and international law. Trump thwarts this by forcing Mexico to detain asylum seekers on Mexican soil, hoping  refugees will either go away or apply to Mexico for asylum. The sanctity of Congressional appropriations are becoming a joke with Trump seeking to redirect appropriations to other purposes, most notably his wall. I once believed the myth of our “system of checks and balances.” Trump, however, routinely ignores these checks. What he says is law, certainly not something that comes from the courts. We need to stop the slow creep of dictatorship now. Impeachment is our only option. Our representative, Derek Kilmer, needs to vote for impeachment proceedings to begin. Best to face a bully sooner rather than later.

Fayette F. Krause
Port Townsend