Regarding the Aug. 3 article “Trump plans ‘emergency’ to stay in office,” Trump has a love-hate relationship with his job. Tragicomically, he hates the most important elements because — exactly like his fawning flock of sycophantic sheep — Trump despises everything he doesn't understand.
He loves the perks. His eggshell ego is addicted to peripheral benefits like worshipful rally crowds, adulation from Trumpketeer pundits and flights aboard Air Force One. Also, Trump prizes the respect his title once commanded, which he’s burned to ashes at the altar of his clinical narcissism — with aplomb.
He loves the free advertising. Like all career mobsters, Trump always has one eye on his business and the other on the door, so being White House Capo was a boon for his post-presidential life initially. Stingingly, though, he's facing serious financial crimes charges as a private citizen — and a presidential pardon is inconceivable.
He hates the responsibilities. Apparently, Trump never read his job description, because he’s demonstrated an embarrassingly limited grasp of rudimentary presidential duties. His abysmal management and problem-solving skills render any "leadership" impossible, with his disastrous mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic being the deadliest example.
He hates the structure. So paltry is Trump’s understanding of how the Constitution defines executive, legislative and judicial branch roles that he consistently makes threats he cannot execute (most recently, to delay the November election). Apparently, the fundamental concept of “checks and balances” is anathema to him and, forever the victim, he wails incessantly about "fake news" coverage like a tantrum-throwing toddler hurling toys out of his playpen.
A serial arsonist of constitutional principles, Trump has shamelessly flaunted his ignorance, corruption and dearth of management expertise. This November, U.S. voters must fire him — just like any boss would fire any employee who's tried to burn down company headquarters.
D.S. Monahan
Edogawa Ward, Tokyo