U.S.: Embarrassed to be an American

In my 84 years I’ve never thought I’d say the following words, ‘I’m embarrassed to be an American.’ I served for 21 years in the U.S. Navy under six presidents — three Republicans and three Democrats and while I may have not agreed with some decisions, I never felt embarrassed to serve under their leadership.

As of Jan. 20, 2025, I’m embarrassed to be an American. We’ve abandoned our allies; sucked up to dictators; trashed our friends; taken a chainsaw to normative behavior in governance; and, the Executive branch uses our Constitution as toilet paper. Yes, I’m embarrassed.  

My wife is just as embarrassed. She spent her entire working career at a major university, on the administrative staff of the Education Department. She’s embarrassed that so many Americans allowed themselves to be hoodwinked, mislead, misinformed and out and out lied to by this misogynistic charlatan. 

I cannot speak for the all Americans but feel a personal obligation to apologize to all our Canadian and Mexican friends. I sincerely hope that our Congress gets a spine transplant and does what it should have done over five years ago — convict him of gross malfeasance, violating the Emoluments Clause and other crimes against the American people.

GIL BEYER 

Sandpoint