Trump’s policy of separating children from their parents and concentrating them in abandoned Walmarts and tent camps is a national disgrace. His attempt to blame Democrats for these actions and Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ explanation that these steps are sanctioned by his “Christian” beliefs would be laughable if they weren’t so tragic.

Ignoring the fact that he has the executive authority to halt these separations, Trump commented that only Congress can change the policy by adding such legislation to a bill funding his border wall. His latest ploy to force such funding appears to be throwing immigrants fleeing violence and poverty in jail, then seizing their children as hostages in hopes that this will force legislative approval of his wall.

I wrote Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, asking her to take action to stop the separations or at least use her “bully pulpit” as a member of the leadership to speak out publicly on the House floor against the practice. Her response was “I do not agree with separating families at the border … I will keep your thoughts in mind should any relevant legislation come before me.”

I guess she can’t initiate the legislation herself for fear it could jeopardize her reelection by offending her base of Trump supporters.

Kirk Jackson

Spokane