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Now is the time for Sen. Susan Collins to establish her place in history as more than just Maine’s longest serving senator. I believe Donald Trump’s presidency has been an abomination, but it has never been clearer that he is an existential threat to our democracy and even world peace.
The atrocities of the last few weeks are enough to chill even the most optimistic of us. Two American citizens shot and killed in Minneapolis and at least six immigrants dead in ICE detainment in January alone.
The ICE assault on states is not an unfortunate combination of poor decisions, it is calculated. Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding release of voter files as a condition of ICE withdrawal makes it clear the federal invasion is not about immigration! It is another lawless use of power to coerce whatever you want from whoever has it.
Threatening Venezuela and demanding control of their oil is lawless behavior. President Trump then threatens one of our longest and most loyal allies just so he can win mineral rights to as yet unproven reserves in Greenland.
Convincing ICE to leave Maine and voting against legislation that will pass anyway is not going to be enough to save our still great nation. Reigning in this rogue administration will require brave Republicans to speak up publicly and resist these patently un-American actions.
Please, Sen. Collins, be one of those brave voices and recruit strong Republican colleagues who care about our country to be the same. Take your place alongside great and courageous Maine senators like Margaret Chase Smith and Bill Cohen. Be loud and clear, it is time to stop dividing our nation and tearing down everything that makes us the greatest nation in the world.
David Strainge
Stockholm
