To the Editor:

Re “Furor Over Trump’s Pick of a Hard-Right Adviser” (front page, Nov. 15):

Since Donald Trump’s election I have been fearful, yet hopeful. My hopes are based on the feeling that Mr. Trump is a pragmatist, a dealmaker, someone who will compromise to make something happen.

But his appointment of Stephen Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News, as his chief strategist has dampened my hopes and reawakened my fears. Breitbart is a far-far-right-wing website whose vitriol is filled with hate and prejudice. I don’t know if Mr. Bannon shares all of these views. I sincerely hope not, but he did lead the organization that broadcast this awful rhetoric.

It is scary to me that Mr. Bannon will now be one office away with apparently unbridled access to shape the policies of President-elect Trump.

I am not ready to throw in the towel and revert to my worst fears, but if his remaining high-level appointees are not more moderate, I fear for our Republic and my fellow Americans.