It is time for extraordinary courage among moderate Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. They could join with Democrats and elect a moderate speaker, thereby breaking the power of the Trumpist, extremist right.

Shockingly, they would have to negotiate security for themselves to protect from the onslaught of former President Donald Trump’s violent rhetoric and the resulting threat. But that should tell them why their courage is so important to protect our democracy.

The extremists are an extreme threat to the country and to peaceful democracy everywhere. They believe in hostage taking, intimidation, violence and power at all costs. They won’t pay the country’s already-incurred bills, and they will shut down the government to get their minority extremist way and assert power. Trump, their leader, calls for violence against people who disagree with him.

This is not democracy. The moderates in the House must summon the courage to stop them.

Mary Henderson
Topsham