A recent letter writer chastised another letter writer (“Not the way to begin a constructive dialogue,” March 23) for “demonizing her (Sen. Collins),” implying that any criticism of the senator was merely a policy dispute. I beg to differ.

If Donald Trump were a “normal” president, then yes, respectful criticism would be in order. But Trump is anything but an ordinary president. He has and is violating constitutional law. He deports U.S. residents without due process. He fires so many employees in congressionally authorized departments and agencies (again, without civil service due processes) that they cease to function.

Some may agree with Mr. Trump’s goals, but that does not sanction lawlessness on the way to those goals. To emphasize the point, please reread Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” speech of June 1, 1950.

Many letter writers to this newspaper are criticizing Sen. Collins not for mere policy disagreements but for her silence in the face of lawlessness. Silence is complicity.

Mark Love
Falmouth