1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Our country faces a critical threat from unchecked executive branch lies. Our legal framework strictly penalizes fraud in corporate boardrooms and courtrooms, yet leaves our highest elected leaders free to propagate intentional, material falsehoods that erode democratic institutions and our liberty. Congress can pass targeted legislation—such as a Truth in Elections Act—holding public officials accountable for deliberate lies. Statutory prohibitions against intentional deception regarding elections or official conduct do not breach the First Amendment, as fraudulent speech receives no Constitutional protection. It would be perverse to treat fraudulent or malicious behaviour as an official act of holding office. It's necessary to promptly establish enforceable civil and criminal penalties which ensure due process while deterring bad-faith subversion of our governance and making bad actors, their toadies, and those who enable them accountable to the Congress and to the People. We regulate corporate misrepresentations to protect financial markets; you must now regulate presidential lies to protect our country and its citizens. Pass legislation curbing executive deceit immediately.