Donald Trump poses a danger to our national security

March 21 − To the Editor:

For Americans who have ever had to safeguard sensitive government information, it is easy to conclude that Donald Trump is extremely dangerous to our national security. If anyone getting a paycheck from Uncle Sam, in uniform or not, did the types of things he has done, they would be court-martialed, dishonorably discharged, fired for cause, heavily fined or already in jail.

My letter titled "Reading "a Form 86 can be an enlightening experience," shared information categories typically collected to ensure that those working for the government won't share sensitive information with those wishing to do harm to the United States. Since that April 2016 letter, we know that Donald Trump did have multiple foreign bank accounts, and is now engaged in multiple criminal and civil legal proceedings. He did not follow the rules for handling classified information. He has been found guilty of sexual assault and business fraud. His heavy legal debts alone now make him a high security risk as do his extensive foreign contacts. How many secrets could he sell, or has already sold/shared, to raise $500,000,000? The public will likely never know.

Years ago, he asked Russia for help getting dirt on his political opponent and then as the newly elected president, shared secret information with Russia, and disclosed secret satellite capability, to name a few.

After thoughtlessly declassifying intelligence information, Russian intelligence sources began disappearing. He wrongfully retained highly classified information after he left office, including an un-redacted binder of information related to Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Elections. Sharing state secrets with adversaries is not typical behavior for someone running to be Commander in Chief.

It is difficult to understand why so many Americans admire/accept this behavior, when his oblivious, short-sighted and self-absorbed behavior has already resulted in so many deaths to those at home (e.g., negligent Covid response and pushing ineffective/harmful remedies) and abroad (e.g., blocking Ukrainian military aid). If researching and reading about security related concerns isn't your preference, see “The Comey Rule” series on streaming video and it will sequentially lay out historical events that have been in the news for years and may have been difficult to put into perspective before.

If you don't mind reading, read the Mueller Report to understand that it did not exonerate Donald Trump and that Trump becoming president exceeded Russia's wildest dreams. Also realize that Iran is a Russian ally, and neither of those nations is currently a friend. Don Cavallaro

Rye