Dear Mr. Trump,

Whatever else you think you may be doing by stonewalling – playing to your base, acting “tough,” trying to goad House Democrats to starting impeachment hearings against you – you’re teaching Americans the worst possible lesson.

You’re teaching us that our sacred institutions of government should be disrespected, that government by an elected legislative branch is a fantasy, and that lawful process – subpoenas intended to allow policy access to the information they need to govern – can and should be ignored with impunity.

As House Judiciary Chairman Nadler properly put it, you are placing your own personal needs “over the fair administration of justice” by decreeing that your administration will not respond in any way to Congressional requests for testimony and documents.

Why should we respond to a summons to jury duty? You’ve shown that our way of government can be flouted.

Why should we comply with laws that require drivers to have a driver’s license? You, Mr. Trump, apparently don’t have to obey the law, so why should anyone else?

Why should we respect our police officers? You, Mr. Trump, spit in the face of Congress, so why can’t common citizens spit in the faces of those trying to enforce our laws?

Chairman Nadler said, and I agree, that “Every one of us must make the same choice. … The choice is simple. We can stand up to [you] in defense of the country and the Constitution and the liberty we love or we can let the moment pass us by.” And he warned that “There is no way forward for this country that does not include a reckoning for this clear and present danger to our constitutional order.”

Ultimately the American voters in 2020 will decide the way forward or the way to destruction. We will decide if we want a president who feels that he is above the law, like a despot, like you, Mr. Trump, or whether we want a president who fulfills his oath to defend the Constitution.

Very truly yours,

Bruce J. Berger