Letter to the editor: Trump demands obedience

Even though Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives at first showed little interest in redistricting to gain five seats in the 2026 midterms, it seems all it took was one phone call from Donald Trump and, voilà, redistricting became the major focus of the special session initially called to address, among other issues, those surrounding the July 4 Hill Country flood.

When Abbott became governor of Texas, he pledged to “… preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States … .” Nowhere in that oath did he promise fealty to a particular political party or person.

Trump as president, however, obviously demands obsequious obedience from all individuals hoping to remain in his good graces, even if it means they either compromise or abandon what their conscience tells them is morally, ethically or legally right.

Since Jan. 20, our freedoms have faced relentless attacks as Trump seeks to extend his power far beyond what the Constitution lays out for the executive branch. In my opinion, by refusing to end Trump’s insatiable appetite for power, his sycophantic lackeys in all three branches are bringing us ever closer to the authoritarian state of his dreams.

Therefore, we should applaud the Texas state House Democrats for courageously breaking quorum instead of staying and becoming complicit in this obviously blatant attempt to further “rig” — one of Trump’s favorite words — the 2026 midterms in favor of Republican candidates.

These Democrats clearly recognize what many Americans so far have not: The clock on our democracy is perilously close to running out of time.

Susan L. Gero

Leechburg