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There is no reason to cheer Donald Trump Jr.’s purchase of 3,900 acres of prime Maine property. The land was purchased from the family of unsuccessful congressional candidate Austin Theriault, who was strongly backed by Donald Trump. Might there be a connection?
A Florida company, which includes Don Jr. and connections to a man pardoned by then-President Donald Trump for violating campaign finance laws and ended his ongoing securities and wire fraud court case, was formed to make the purchase.
Don Jr. has been called an “avid” hunter. His worldwide kills include an elephant (Google the photos), an ibex mountain goat, a bear, a buffalo, a crocodile and a large leopard (again, Google the photo).
His most controversial kill was a rare argali sheep in Mongolia. The trip included Secret Service protection at a cost to taxpayers of $76,000. After the hunt, it was determined he did not have a hunting permit, but one was “issued” after his departure and a meeting with the country’s president. ProPublica reported the hunt occurred at night using a laser scope.
Who is going to monitor the hunts that take place on this land? Who will check for proper permits, hunting in season, using legal weapons and tactics, killing the allowed amount of animals?
Maine’s animals belong to us all, not just the rich and influential. I’d rather have trees and nature than a person who apparently finds joy in killing an elephant.
Charles Mitchell
Belfast
