To the editor:
Much has been written about how to counter Donald Trump’s influence on American political life. But the most effective answer does not lie in louder denunciations from his critics or endless efforts to persuade his most devoted supporters. The real leverage lies elsewhere: in whether Republicans themselves continue to excuse, defend, or normalize behavior that would once have been considered disqualifying.
Trump’s influence has never rested solely on popular enthusiasm. It has depended on permission—from Republican elected officials, party leaders, donors, and conservative media figures who remain silent or offer justification when he commits felonies, mocks people with disabilities, demeans journalists for doing their jobs, disparages women, or treats the rule of law as an inconvenience. Without that ongoing support, his conduct would lose much of its power.
Criticism from Democrats, however justified, is easily dismissed as partisan hostility and often reinforces Trump’s persecution narrative. Criticism—or, more importantly, refusal to defend the indefensible—from within his own party has a very different effect. Political figures lose influence not when opponents object but when allies withdraw legitimacy.
This is not a question of ideology. It is a question of whether a major political party is willing to uphold basic democratic norms: respect for the rule of law, accountability for misconduct, and a minimum standard of civic decency. Continued Republican backing does more than protect one individual; it teaches future leaders that cruelty, lawlessness, and contempt for democratic institutions are acceptable paths to power.
Trump will not change. The more important question is whether Republicans will. The fastest way to diminish his influence is not outrage, but accountability—and that can only come when those within his own party decide to stop lending him credibility.
Daniel Hopkins
Williamstown
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