1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment over your recent statements expressing outrage about Russia’s actions. While your words might sound strong to some, they ring hollow to those of us who have watched you repeatedly enable and defend former President Trump — a man who cozied up to Putin, undermined our democracy, and normalized authoritarian behavior. If you were truly concerned about Russian aggression and the threat it poses to American values, you would have taken a stand when Trump openly sided with Putin. You would have spoken out when he attempted to extort Ukraine for political gain, weakened NATO alliances, and admired dictators more than democratic leaders. Instead, you stayed silent — or worse, defended him — as he laid the groundwork for the authoritarianism you now pretend to oppose. Your sudden outrage feels less like principled leadership and more like a convenient performance, tailored to whatever serves your political survival. It’s clear you’re acting as a hired hand for yet another wannabe strongman, putting party over country again. If you truly believe in democracy, it’s time to stop the hollow statements and start showing courage — the kind that puts country above party, even when it’s inconvenient. The American people deserve more than performative politics.