Voters in a strong red state have received a dire warning from their capital's Republican mayor not to elect former President Donald Trump.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a lifelong Republican, wrote in the Philadelphia Citizen Thursday why he cannot vote for Trump. "I will vote for virtue," he wrote.
Holt did not name Trump in his sweeping editorial that puts emphasis on character, competence and commitment — but his allusions to the former president were plain enough for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, to share them on X.
For instance, Holt condemns one candidate's praise of "brutal dictators around the world."
Trump has reportedly praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the generals of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. He's even suggested admiration for Hitler himself.
The Oklahoma City mayor wrote that before Trump became his party's political candidate in 2016, he took much for granted about the content of character of a person seeking the nation's highest office.
He then lists the assumptions Trump's ascent has forced him to abandon.
"I took for granted that both leading candidates fundamentally respected all Americans, desired unity, and would at least attempt to foster it," Holt wrote.
"I took for granted that both leading candidates would never dehumanize their political opponents, would treat their opponents with basic respect, would not call their opponents names, would never use words like 'evil' or 'enemy' to describe a political opponent."
Trump over recent weeks has repeatedly threatened to sic the military on political opponents he dubs "the enemy within."
Holt questioned Trump's competence to lead with a damning condemnation of his intelligence, self-awareness and his mental state, which multiplemedical professionals have thrown into question — especially after he pontificated publicly about Arnold Palmer's penis size.
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"I took for granted that both leading candidates communicated in an intentional, thoughtful and coherent way — without gratuitous vulgarity," Holt wrote.
"I took for granted that both leading candidates were strong and confident leaders, and would never need to bully people, make grandiose claims about themselves, or seek flattery — all textbook behaviors of insecure and weak people."
Finally, Holt challenged Trump's commitment to the nation, citing his demand the U.S. Constitution be "terminated," reported disregard for wounded members of American armed forces, and the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
"I took for granted that both leading candidates respected the rule of law and deeply understood the concept that no president is above the law, and how that fact is fundamental to our unique national story," Holt wrote.
"For the first four presidential elections of my adult life, I took these virtues for granted. I have not had that luxury since."