Lost credibility

I am highly ashamed of the Trump supporters’ unlawful actions in Washington on Wednesday. I imagine these are the same people who demanded action by legal authorities against those involved in Black Lives Matter riots and who consistently stated they support our police officers and legal system. Their actions in D.C. completely lost them any credibility on being adherents to law and order.

Just like BLM rioters, any of the Trump supporters who participated in these illegal actions should be identified and punished to the full extent of the law. Performing illegal actions and endangering other people’s safety to protest has no place in this country.

I voted for President Donald Trump in the last two elections not because I thought he was great but because he was the lesser of two evils available on the ballot. I do not like him personally but do believe he accomplished some good things while in office, although many of his actions, like President Barack Obama’s while he was in office, were divisive instead of inclusive.

I believe his speech and his actions before the riots instigated his followers to feel they had the authority and his blessing to do what they did in D.C. He did not ask them to desist and go home until after the damage was done and only after being urged to do so by his advisors. I would not object if he were prosecuted for his role in these riots.

After Trump’s actions during the past few weeks, I can no longer support him. I do not think the best person available in this country won the 2020 presidential election, but I now believe the right person lost it.

Michael Harp, Virginia Beach