To the editor,
I want to suggest an addition to the endangered species list: authentic conservatives, men and women who embrace—among other things—the Founders’ vision of constitutionally limited government and a constitutionally constrained chief executive.

This species disappeared from the Democratic Party decades ago. Now, it is mostly gone from the Republican Party as well, replaced by men and women who once professed conservative principles but now offer slavishly obedience to a very un-conservative president.

That the president does not govern as a conservative should surprise no one. Principle of any kind, conservative or otherwise, has never been high on his priority list. We have known this from the beginning of his public career. What is disheartening is the acquiescence of so many Republicans to the president’s indifference to the principles that used to define what it meant to be a Republican.

Why aren’t Republicans outraged when Mr. Trump interprets laws beyond recognition in order to expand his authority? They were when President Biden tried to use executive orders to write off student loans and President Obama threatened to govern with his pen and phone.

Why aren’t they alarmed when Mr. Trump acquires a substantial government stake in private companies? This is the definition of socialism. Or when he refuses to enforce the TikTok ban passed by Congress? Do they not care that he recklessly ignores the requirement the Constitution places on the president “to take care that the laws be faithfully executed?” Or that he brags about unilaterally imposing tariffs, a taxing authority belonging to Congress?

Surely Republicans know that attempts to seize powers beyond those granted the president by the Constitution will not end with Mr. Trump’s term in office. The next presidents of whatever party will build on all Mr. Trump has usurped, bringing us ever closer to the concentration of power and resulting tyranny the Founders feared. Yet only a few of his own party speak up. And these are the ones—authentic conservatives—who need to be added to the endangered species list. No such designation is required for unprincipled Republicans, for sadly that population is thriving.

Ed Mertz

Prescott