Being Criticized, President Trump, is Kind of Part of the Job

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20500

17 May 2017 

Dear President Trump, 

I am writing to encourage you to resign the position of President of the United States. 

Today, while giving a commencement speech to graduates of the US Coast Guard Academy, you said “Look at the way I have been treated lately, especially by the media.  No politician in history, and I say with surety, has been treated worse, more unfairly.”   

This prompts me to point out two things.  First of all, the position you campaigned for and won was the President of the United States.  If you cannot handle criticism, both fair and unfair, perhaps you should not have sought this job.  The office of President carries with it enormous responsibility.  The best of presidents, Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, all were bombarded with criticism about almost every move they made.  Washington was criticized for his strategy during the revolutionary war.  Lincoln was criticized for his policies throughout the Civil War.  Kennedy came under extremely heavy fire for talking with Dr. Martin Luther King.  You are by no means the first president to be criticized. 

Secondly, while I know it must be frustrating and difficult, to be fair and with all due respect, apart from your polarizing policies, you have made some pretty significant mistakes that are worthy of criticism. including most recently telling Russia classified information provided by one of America’s allies, and admitting that you fired FBI Director Comey because you didn’t like that you were being investigated for possible unethical communication with the Russians.   

You have made it clear that your particular off-the-cuff style of speaking and your improvised style of leading, while well-suited to many things, are not as well-suited for a position that demands deliberation, consultation, and careful wisdom before making decisions.  

If you are tired of the criticism, one solution would be to resign your position.  I encourage you to consider doing so.

Regards,

Bill Boerman-Cornell