Dear Mr. Trump,

I heard you say that you “feel very badly” about poor Mr. Paul Manafort, who was sentenced to almost four years in prison for five counts of tax fraud and two counts of bank fraud.

Manafort was convicted for cheating the American taxpayer and for cheating banks. And you “feel very badly” for him? Why don’t you feel very badly for the American taxpayers who did pay their taxes honestly? Why don’t you feel very badly for the American taxpayers who have to make up now for the taxes Manafort failed to pay? Why don’t you feel badly for the banks he cheated?

In addition, Manafort pled guilty to conspiracy against the United States and for conspiracy to obstruct justice. Why don’t you feel very badly for the justice system in the United States that your campaign manager has cheated?

In addition, Manafort pled guilty to money laundering. Essentially, this means that – like your own businesses – Manafort helped others evade tax and other laws and hide financial crimes. He operated like the Mafia, like your dictator friend Putin, like you. Why don’t you feel very badly for the victims of the crimes that Manafort helped to hide?

You’ve pretty much signaled to Manafort that you will pardon him. Shame on you. The right to pardon shouldn’t be used to help your criminal friends. A pardon for Manafort would be an impeachable offense. A pardon for Manafort would be Exhibit A of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

I, for one, feel very badly for America in light of your multiple continuous abuses of power.

Very truly yours,

Bruce J. Berger