President Trump never ceases to amaze me. He sued the IRS for leaking his past tax returns to the public, seeking $10 billion in damages. Since he is president and effectively oversees the Internal Revenue Service, the situation is striking. It is like he is suing himself. He ultimately settled out of court for $1.8 billion, along with a provision stating that neither he, his family nor the family business could ever be audited for past years by the IRS. He now wants Congress to let him create a slush fund to be distributed to whomever at his discretion. He has indicated overtly that he wants to financially reward the rioters he pardoned for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, calling them “true patriots” who deserve compensation for what he claims were wrongful convictions. It should be noted, however, that 1,600 rioters who were arrested received due process for their alleged crimes and were lawfully convicted by either a jury of their peers or a judge. President Trump is making a mockery of our judicial system, which is widely regarded as one of the fairest in the world. He seems confused about who the real victims and perpetrators were in the attack on the Capitol. What about the valiant Capitol police officers who risked physical harm to protect congressional leaders? They are the true patriots — not the convicted rioters. Before using taxpayer money to compensate those convicted in the Capitol attack, the president must first secure congressional approval. If past behavior is any guide to how Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate will respond, Capitol police officers may pay the highest price. His proposal is an affront to the intelligence of the American people. President Trump’s influence over Republican lawmakers is unmistakable. Time and again, they have yielded to his demands, seemingly out of fear of retaliation if they resist. Few issues warrant closer scrutiny than this one. It is not only unfair and unlawful, but it would chiefly benefit one person: Donald J. Trump. If enacted, it could provide him with a ready-made cadre of loyalists prepared to carry out his wishes should he attempt to usurp the Constitution and seek a third term If Congress, especially Republican lawmakers, firmly rejects his proposal, it will mark the first time since his inauguration that they have carried out their oversight responsibilities. Perhaps then, and only then, will my upside-down world begin to feel right again. John White Midway The post The Upside Down appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less