Trump fears a free press, accountability

As a political independent, my reaction to President Donald Trump’s behavior and rhetoric is based on simple decency. His tweets are truly tone deaf, given the recent tragic loss of 11 lives at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and following multiple bomb mailings to top Democratic officials and CNN. In one of his tweets, he ties the “great anger” to our news media. His rhetoric is a steady drum beat to weaken a fundamental strength of our democracy: a free press.

This constant focus to undermine the press has a well-developed strategy to sow doubt and distrust in the media, as they continue to report his actions. When you hear him at a rally complimenting a congressman for body-slamming a reporter saying, “He’s my kind of guy,” Trump’s promoting violence. When he continues to attack the news, he sounds like a person blaming his appearance on the mirror.

You take away our free press and you remove accountability from our leaders.

James Keough

Palos Heights, Ill.