To the Editor:

Re “Trump Says Kentucky Derby Ruling Was ‘Not a Good One’” (nytimes.com, May 5):

The stewards of the Kentucky Derby reviewed the evidence and determined, in accordance with long-established rules of fairness in horse racing, that the horse that came in first had competed unfairly and should be disqualified. President Trump, of course, objected to this.

His objection is a concise reflection of his dangerously self-absorbed worldview: Whether in a horse race, an election or the presidency, rules and fairness don’t matter as long as you win, clear evidence of malfeasance (whether in a video replay or in a special counsel’s report) be damned.

The Kentucky Derby is a longstanding American tradition whose stewards, thankfully, took seriously their responsibility to ensure a just outcome. I wish that members of Congress — who are, after all, supposed to be the stewards of our democracy — could act as decisively as the stewards of the Derby.

Pamela J. Griffith

Brooklyn