DEAR EDITOR:

The recent Supreme Court decision granting expanded presidential powers is deeply concerning for the future of our democracy and the rule of law. By placing the president above legal scrutiny, we risk creating an autocrat with unchecked authority.

A future president could exploit these new powers in alarming ways. They might use executive orders to redirect government contracts to their own businesses, effectively looting the treasury. Presidential pardons could be wielded to shield corrupt allies or silence whistleblowers. Intelligence agencies could be weaponized against political rivals, suppressing opposition through surveillance or blackmail.

More disturbingly, a president could order extrajudicial killings of critics, labeling them as “threats to national security.” They might unilaterally withdraw from international alliances, upending global stability to benefit personal financial interests. Trade wars could be initiated to manipulate markets for personal gain.

The judiciary and Legislature could be gradually dismantled through strategic appointments and executive actions, eroding the separation of powers. Media outlets critical of the administration might face regulatory crackdowns or forced closures.

This consolidation of power threatens the very foundations of our republic. We must act now to restore checks and balances before it’s too late. Our democracy depends on it.

RICHARD OUZOUNIAN

Warren