Here we go again. Do you remember how Richard Nixon was run out of office when he tried to shut down the CIA investigation of Watergate?

What about George W. Bush asking the intelligence community to find evidence to back up his theory about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction?

Donald Trump wanted a report from the national security agencies to support his Muslim travel ban. Homeland Security’s report undercut the case for the ban. Did the White House listen?

The Trump team seems to be uninterested in facts they do not like.

Then there are the stories about communications with Russia during the campaign. Trump asked the Congressional Intelligence Committee chairs to influence the media to downplay those stories.

His top staffer talked to the FBI about backing off that subject. By acknowledging the reports, the White House effectively confirms them. Their own actions compel an independent investigation.

The executive branch is not supposed to interfere with the legislative and judicial branches, as spelled out in the constitutional checks and balances.

Trump seems to be playing a role on TV as the president.

We are seeing the actions of a vindictive, bewildered and boastful demagogue, who is hiding his tax returns for some nefarious reason.