America's new message to the world: ‘We're so very sorry’

Not a single second passes where unrelenting human suffering shouldn't evoke America's heartfelt sympathies, accompanied by committed, responsive action. That, however, appears to no longer be the case in Trump's America. Truth, humility, and humanity are in short supply in a dictator's world.

We’ve seen President Donald Trump's incoherent blaming of Ukraine for war criminal Vladimir Putin's terrorizing, murderous assaults and kidnappings. We’ve seen Trump's racially based warrantless detentions and deportations, the devastating consequence of his cuts to USAID, and his endorsement of Gaza starvation.

The abandonment of America's principles is the root cause of our decline. For this, and much more, most of the world deserves an apology. Allies have been abandoned; enemies are being embraced.

Ever since taking office for his second term, our convicted felon, twice impeached, sexual abuser, habitual liar, gerrymanderer in chief has only reinforced his disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution upon which our country was founded. There are far too many irrefutable examples of Trump's anti-American conduct to list, but the real crisis, in truth, lies elsewhere.

The real crisis is found in the lack of courage shown by Republican sycophants who are so intimidated by Trump's vengeance they have sold their souls to their would-be king. Their One Big Beautiful Bill stands as a testament to their allegiance to Trump over country. Their wholesale confirmations of unqualified, incompetent cabinet officials demonstrate the same.

The office of president of the United States has been co-opted for personal enrichment, and vengeance. The office of president of the United States granted treasonous Jan. 6 criminals wholesale pardons. Elected officials continue to sit idly by while presidential lawlessness reaches new heights.

First lady Barbara Bush sat on the board of the Mayo Clinic. One of President Bush's speeches is quoted in a Mayo exhibit. Regarding our Nation, it reads, in part: “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle."

It is past time for America to apologize to citizens of the world for all of the harms they are now suffering. We are truly sorry, and we will work diligently to Make America Principled Again.

Dean Lerner is a former director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.