Unprecedented
Re “Youngkin, Kiggans were reckless to join GOP outrage over Mar-a-Lago search before facts emerge” (Aug. 10): The editorial about the FBI’s execution of a search warrant at the home of former President Donald Trump makes a legitimate point about some public officials “going off half-cocked,” as the editorial board put it. But it ignored the validity of the concerns many Americans have of the appearance that the agency is overstepping its authority.
We don’t have all the facts, but there are a few: a caravan of FBI agents pulled up to the home Aug. 8, as if they were raiding the home of a drug lord. They conducted an extensive search. They hauled away some unknown quantity of items. And until Aug. 11, they refused to even hint at why this extraordinary action was taken.
You urge us all to stay calm and wait, yet we citizens have not been given any explanation as to why it was necessary to do what has never been done before in our country’s history: a raid on a former president’s home. This is the former president who may be President Joe Biden’s opponent in the next presidential election. I am not a Trump supporter, but I am appalled by the appearance of this action as an effort to discredit Trump.
If the outrage and complaints were not so strong, I doubt that the attorney general would have taken the small step to try to explain what happened.
John Gullett, Newport News
Moral compass
On Aug. 8 the FBI executed a search warrant on former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida, property. In an effort to learn, I searched news sites including CNN, NBC, MSNBC and Fox News. The first three networks seemed to be reporting the facts as they occurred, and all three had guests who detailed the requirements that must be met in order to execute a search warrant. As we have learned there must be substantial reasons for the FBI to have taken this action.
On the other hand, Sean Hannity on Fox News had guests who were more inclined to express outrage as did House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy who signaled out Attorney General Merrick Garland and told him to keep his calendar open for a Republican-led investigation.
The approach by Fox News and the Republican leadership and other Republicans known for their usual grandstanding including our governor and state Sen. Jen Kiggans is that they are intent to lash out at the FBI and Department of Justice before knowing “what” and “why.” This Republican circus reminds me of the reaction of a ship’s compass to the magnet in a speaker if a radio speaker is located too close to the compass. If a magnet is too close to a compass, the compass needle spins and the compass is no longer capable as a navigational tool. Thus goes Trump and the Republican party. Together, they no longer understand what is true or false or what is right or wrong. Their moral compass has been destroyed.
Meade G. Stone Jr., Virginia Beach
A new enemy
I happened to be around Aug. 14, 1945, another day that will live in infamy for many as it meant the end of a long dark period, World War II, which would cost many American lives. We were asked to conserve energy, ration food, do without, sacrifice many things and support the war effort. We did this and did it with pride. We bought bonds, held rallies, went through the blackouts and much more. Everyone was asked to do his or her part. The pride of our heritage ran deep in our hearts and minds as we overcame the enemy that planned to destroy us.
Now, we face another challenge, infighting within our government. This brings us to prayer for our leaders and to change the hearts of the enemy within. A challenge we must all take to heart. God bless America.
Don Hipple, Virginia Beach
