Trump elevates cruelty as new national value

I never thought I would long for the day that I disagreed with an American president on mere policy. But The Donald has changed that. Every day brings a new outrage, with the fact that President Trump has told 3,000plus verified lies since being inaugurated as just the start. With every newscast it is evident that he lacks integrity, empathy, basic knowledge of American history or governance; he is a compulsive bully, insults our friends, coddles our enemies, is thinskinned, impulsive, short-sighted and a narcissist.

The latest incarnation was his administration’s practice and downright glee in separating children from parents when families are caught attempting to cross our border. These immigrants are, for the most part, not seeking a Sunday drive. They don’t take lightly the act of fleeing to our country. Breaking up families inflicts deep-seated and life-changing trauma on both parents and children.

Only under intense public pressure did the president reverse this policy, but again lied in trying to blame others for it.

Cruelty is not, and should never be, among our national values and no citizen should be a silent witness to it. I urge Rep. Joe Courtney and Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal to continue to fight the Trump Administration’s destructive immigration actions. Maura J. Casey Franklin

Editor’s note: The author once served as associate editorial page editor at The Day.