1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent actions and statements by President Donald Trump that undermine the foundational principles of our democracy. On February 19, 2025, President Trump declared, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” on his social media platform, Truth Social. This proclamation was accompanied by the official White House Instagram account sharing a fabricated Time magazine cover depicting President Trump wearing a crown, with the caption “Long live the king” . Such self-aggrandizing declarations and monarchical imagery are antithetical to the core values upon which our nation was founded. The United States was established in direct opposition to monarchical rule, embracing a republic governed by laws and representative institutions. Our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom, instituted a system of checks and balances to prevent any individual from amassing unchecked power. President Trump’s recent behavior not only disregards this history but also poses a direct threat to the democratic ideals that generations of Americans have fought to preserve. New York Governor Kathy Hochul aptly responded to President Trump’s remarks, stating, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” She further emphasized, “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years, and we sure as hell are not going to start now” . The President’s increasing use of monarchical rhetoric and imagery is alarming. Such actions erode public trust in our institutions and set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach. It is imperative that our leaders uphold the Constitution and reaffirm their commitment to the democratic principles that define our nation. I urge you, as my elected representative, to: 1. Publicly Denounce President Trump’s self-designation as “king” and his use of monarchical imagery, making it clear that such rhetoric is unacceptable and un-American. 2. Reaffirm Commitment to the Constitution and the principles of democracy, ensuring that no individual, regardless of position, is above the law. 3. Advocate for Legislative Measures that reinforce the separation of powers and prevent any attempts at executive overreach that threaten our democratic institutions. Our nation’s strength lies in its adherence to democratic ideals and the rule of law. It is essential that we confront and challenge any actions that jeopardize these principles. I trust that you will take a stand to protect the integrity of our republic. Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.