Editor, News-Register:

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, sadly, and most alarmingly, the Republican Party has obviously become “the pro-Russia party,” conveniently choosing to ignore the countless atrocities they have committed and continue to commit internationally against many of our loyal allies, as well as irrefutable acts against our government and our electoral process, which makes a 180-degree philosophical change regarding a country that had once been referred to by Republican president and conservative icon Ronald Reagan as “the evil empire. Russia’s actions of late continue to strongly indicate that such is still the case under the autocratic former Russian KGB agent Vladimir Putin, whom President Trump astonishingly seems to believe can do no wrong, giving him and his nation hs nation unflinching support.

Examples of such blind support include the obvious undermining of Ukraine, a long-time loyal ally, in its war against Russian aggression; turning a blind eye to the Russian annexation of Syria, President Trump’s insistence that G-7 members allow Russia to join, becoming then the G-8 summit; and adopting Russia’s professionally debunked claim that it was Ukraine and not Russia that interfered in and influenced the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Perhaps the personal justification of President Trump’s unflinching support of the Russian government would be realized if the president was finally required to release his income tax forms to the American people. Perhaps the president and his business interests have received extensive financial support from Russia, over the years?

President Trump’s support of Russia may be as a result of their intervention on his behalf during the 2016 presidential election. It does appear, sadly, to be obvious that this may be the case.

In closing, why is it that Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked several election security bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, including $600 million to upgrade voting machines, leaving a verifiable paper trail to prevent the hacking of votes?

Perhaps he, President Trump and their governmental/political cohorts feel the current system, with documented areas of serious concern, better suits their purpose to help ensure political success in the electoral process?

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry