1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to ask a straightforward but deeply troubling question: how can you continue to support Donald Trump as President given his long and well-documented record of racial, demeaning, and inflammatory rhetoric toward entire groups of people? For nearly a decade, Mr. Trump has repeatedly used language that demeans immigrants, people of color, political opponents, journalists, and even public servants. Early in his first campaign, he characterized Mexican immigrants as criminals and sexual predators. He later referred to certain nations in Africa and the Caribbean using a crude, dehumanizing term that sparked bipartisan condemnation. These were not isolated slips of the tongue, but part of a consistent pattern. He has mocked people with disabilities, used racially charged language to attack elected officials of color, and questioned the legitimacy of judges and jurors based on their ethnicity. He has also described white supremacists and neo-Nazis at a violent rally as including “very fine people,” a statement that remains deeply alarming to many Americans who expect moral clarity from a president. Beyond insults, Mr. Trump has repeatedly engaged in violent or threatening rhetoric. He has encouraged supporters to “rough up” protesters, suggested that political opponents should be jailed without due process, and made comments implying that violence could be an acceptable response to political outcomes. His rhetoric leading up to January 6th—and his continued praise for those involved afterward—demonstrates how dangerous words from a president can be when they normalize anger, grievance, and political violence. As an elected official, your support sends a message about what behavior and language are acceptable in our national leadership. Many Americans, myself included, believe the President should strive to unite the country, show basic respect for all people, and lower the temperature of our political discourse—not inflame it. I would appreciate a clear explanation of how you reconcile continued support for Donald Trump with these repeated examples of racially charged, demeaning, and violent rhetoric. At what point does character, conduct, and respect for fellow Americans factor into your decision? I look forward to your response.