I wrote and sent this a while back. I stand by it and thought it appropriate to share in this venue.
Dear Mr. President,
While I didn’t vote for you, I acknowledge you as the duly-elected President of the United States. I accept that we will never agree on most issues and I will count myself among the forces of the loyal opposition until the next election cycle. The special counsel’s investigation should continue without interference for as long as it takes and, if necessary, there are constitutional remedies in place to address any wrongdoings. Until then, I am not looking for ways to call into question the legitimacy of your presidency. That’s the way our democracy works.
I presume that our vast policy differences will continue to provoke serious debates and disagreements. Despite those differences, however, it is not unreasonable for me to expect you to represent our nation in a manner that is consistent with our common values and heritage. You have been given a sacred trust to conduct yourself as a representative of the best of America – both as a model for all American citizens and as a symbol to the world at large.
Unfortunately, what you apparently see as merely being self-confident and politically incorrect, many of us see as the actions of a puerile, narcissistic boor. That persona was frankly quite entertaining when you were a reality show host and it obviously served you very well in the 2016 election cycle. As the President, however, it is unacceptable at best and, at worst, increasingly dangerous.
Being kind, gracious, inclusive, and humble with a self-deprecating sense of humor are basic traits of decent human behavior that all good parents teach their children. Conducting yourself as a gentleman and a scholar is not a sign of weakness. Conducting yourself as the embodiment of the “Ugly American” stereotype is not a sign of strength.
You are no longer a private citizen. I expect you to be worthy of the office you hold by setting a much better example than you have thus far.