On Aug. 20, 2024, the Lewiston Sun Journal published my letter titled “Twenty reasons to reject a candidate.” Last June 18, it published my op-ed citing the letter: “Tragically for America, most of these reasons have come to pass.” 

The core reasons were “Attempted overthrow of the U.S. government (normally called treason),” “Ignores governance to obsess over revenge on opponents,” “Mentally ill narcissist, no reality beyond himself,” “tipping into senility,” “uncontrolled incessant liar” and “hatred of immigrants.” These reasons are grounds for impeachment or imposition of the 25th Amendment, removing the president for physical or mental impairment.

Now, with a federal shutdown, comes the humiliating spectacle of an unqualified secretary of defense and a draft-dodging President Trump lecturing our honored senior military leaders about “an enemy within,” moving active military into our cities, holding Americans in subjugation.

Three of our four Maine elected officials voted to keep the federal government open, citing Trump’s threats to make America suffer with massive cuts. When has capitulating to Trump ever worked? He runs our government as a con man’s scam, an extortion racket: “Pay me, or bad things happen.”

Sen. Collins hoped Trump had “learned his lesson” and is “concerned.” But her weekly newsletters, full of smiling pictures with constituents, seldom use the words “Trump” or “president.” America is under attack “from within” from Trump, with fearful Republicans.

The senator should run as an independent or retire. Maine’s federal elected officers should call his illegal, morally foul actions what they are: treason.

William C. Hiss
Lewiston