1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

As Americans, we all share a common responsibility — to protect our democracy, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that our government works for the people, not against them. Yet your recent actions surrounding the government shutdown and your ongoing deference to Donald Trump’s unlawful ambitions deeply undermine those principles. This shutdown is not a show of strength — it is a failure of leadership. By allowing critical government services and protections to lapse, you are hurting families, veterans, small businesses, and communities that depend on stability and support. These are not bargaining chips; these are the lives and livelihoods of the very people you were elected to serve. Equally alarming is the willingness to entertain Donald Trump’s outrageous and unconstitutional suggestion of seeking a third term — or worse, a lifetime presidency. The United States is not a monarchy. Our presidents are not kings. The Constitution is clear: no person may serve more than two terms as President. To ignore or dismiss that fundamental safeguard is to erode the very foundation of our republic. Moreover, to continue excusing criminal behavior and assaults on the justice system is to normalize corruption and contempt for the law. When elected officials defend felonious conduct rather than condemn it, they send a dangerous message that power is above accountability. That is not conservative, that is not patriotic — and it is certainly not American. You have a choice: stand with the rule of law, the Constitution, and the people you swore to represent — or stand with chaos, corruption, and authoritarianism. History will remember which path you choose. We are demanding that you put country over party. Reopen the government. Respect the limits of power. Defend the rule of law. Restore integrity and reason to your leadership. America deserves better.