When the Challenger spacecraft exploded shortly after takeoff in 1986, President Reagan gave a speech for the ages to lead and soothe us in our national grief.

I suppose he could have railed against government bureaucracy, which was a theme of his administration, but he understood the need to rise above partisanship and rise he did. He was a leader with values.

Several days ago, we had our worst aviation disaster in a quarter century, and our president could not resist the urge to go low: he went after opponents using vile street language and, knowing nothing, of course, blamed DEI.

He expressed no compassion for the victims or the families and nation who would mourn their loss. Later, when asked if he would visit the site, he sarcastically replied, “What, to go swimming?”

Those of us who voted for President Trump know this is the measure of the man. Those who think he cares about their grocery bill, housing, or anything else that matters in their life, should guess again. Nor will he care about the hole his tariffs punch in their wallet or our state’s economy.

He does care about his popularity, though, so people shouldn’t sit on their hands: they should let him and our congressional delegation know what they think.

Steve Bien, Jay