Letter to the editor: Trump's leadership on coronavirus lacking

During the Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War II, three of our most significant conflicts, we were blessed with three great presidents. Historians rank Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt as our greatest presidents because of their outstanding leadership during the three greatest conflicts our nation has faced.

Unfortunately, today we are led by a president who, in my opinion, is intellectually and morally bankrupt. When he was informed of the coronavirus in intelligence briefings in January, he reportedly ignored them. During the next 2½ months, he played golf and held rallies, once calling reaction to the virus a Democratic hoax.

While he was attacking his enemies via Twitter, most nations were preparing for the virus, with many able to contain it. South Korea in early January marshaled its resources, and only 269 deaths have been recorded there. The United States has six times as many people. If you multiply by six, the U.S. should have 1,614 deaths instead of over 103,000 and rising.

The Senate Republicans had an opportunity to rid this country of President Trump but they acted like sycophants and acquitted him. When he finally awoke, instead of becoming the commander-in-chief of this virus war, he turned over responsibilities to the states, with governors forced to compete with each other and the federal government for medical supplies.

As long as our Congress allows this president to continue, the U.S. response will be completely lacking.

Richard P. Davis

Saltlick