David Seifer
Donald Trump’s recent felony conviction has caused me to reflect deeply on the disastrous direction of my party. I am a lifelong Republican, ran as a Republican, and have certainly voted for Trump before. His conviction is more than just a legal issue; it is a microcosm of larger issues within the Republican Party and highlights how corrupt we have become as a nation.
Trump’s model, like that of authoritarians throughout history, revolves around divisive politics: He targets not just his political opponents with violent rhetoric, but also minority groups, people with disabilities, and anyone else his fans think would want to hear his insults and insults.
As a black Republican, this deeply saddens me, but this is the direction Trump’s leadership has taken the party of Lincoln. The Republican Party was once the party that stood for civil rights, liberty and equality for all. It was the party that abolished slavery.
And now, with the Republican National Convention just days away, the Republican Party is best known for having a leader who routinely engages in stereotyping, dog whistles and blatant racism.
So I knew I had to take action.
I created a testimony video for Anti-Trump Republican Voters, a group of Republicans uniting the voices of former Trump voters like me. If enough Republicans join this movement, we can restore our party to its former self: one that stands for liberty, justice, and integrity.
I grew up in the Reagan era, a Republican. Reagan understood America’s role on the world stage. He knew that we had to stand up to Russia and to dictators around the world. He knew that our role was to spread democracy and freedom and confront authoritarianism.
But Trump has praised those same dictators, openly and proudly praising them. This shift has encouraged the growth of isolationist Republicans, a direct result of Trump’s leadership. Trump has spoken openly about not defending Taiwan, not fulfilling NATO obligations, and cutting aid to Ukraine, giving Vladimir Putin a major win.
If Trump wins in November, Russia will have a free hand in Europe, China will attack Taiwan, and our NATO allies will find themselves in a bind just when they need our help.
Trump’s isolationist desire means we lack accountability, a trait he embodies: He is a convicted felon who has yet to face any consequences for stealing classified documents or inciting a riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
He has maintained that he should be immune from any prosecution for actions taken while in office. I can’t imagine what Republicans would say if a Democratic president said Republicans could get away with it. The hypocrisy is astounding.
Our nation is at a crossroads. We must decide whether to continue on the path of division, authoritarianism, and isolationism, or to return to the values that made America a beacon of hope and freedom. As much as it pains me to say this, our party has lost its way under the Trump Administration.
This election is about more than policy differences. The very soul of our nation is at stake. That’s why I’m voting in this election to protect our democracy. If Joe Biden becomes the nominee, I will vote for him — not because I like his policies, but because the future of our nation’s democracy rests in his hands.
Liz Cheney said, “A nation can tolerate bad policies, but it cannot tolerate a president who ignores the Constitution and wages war.”
Now is the time for all of us who believe in our nation’s founding principles of liberty, equality and justice for all to stand up to the dangers posed by Trump.
The future of our party and the future of our democracy depend on it. Voting for Biden is not an easy decision, but it is a necessary step to protect and restore our country’s core values.
David Seifer, a lifelong Republican from Laway, is a member of Republican Voters Against Trump.
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