To the editor:

Open letter to the Hon. Elise Stefanik, re: Donald J. Trump:

Donald J. Trump invited his supporters to Washington, D.C., for Jan. 6, tweeting Dec. 19, “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election, big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”

Donald J. Trump spent more than an hour agitating, goading, haranguing, instigating and inciting the crowd he invited, telling them they would have to fight, saying, “You’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength. You have to be strong.”

Donald J. Trump then instructed them, directly, to go to the Capitol, telling them numerous times as quoted from his speech, “After this, we’re going to walk down, and I’ll be there with you.

“We’re going to walk down any one you want, but I think right here. We’re going walk down to the Capitol. … You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”

“So we’re going to, we’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue … and we’re going to the Capitol.”

Donald J. Trump’s intent comes through loud and clear. He wanted a crowd, and he wanted to stir up emotions and turn the crowd loose as a mob, come what may. That resulted in 1) the imperilment of your life and safety and that of the entire Congress of the United States, and 2) in Congress being held hostage for hours to prevent the execution of its constitutionally mandated work of accepting the votes for president of the United States. This all at the invitation, instigation and instruction of the president of the United States, his rabble separated from the House chamber by only a makeshift barricade of furniture and three men with guns drawn.

Invitation, incitement and instruction indicates intent. What is your intent? Will you continue to support this seditious president, or will you support the Constitution?

Donald J. Trump must be removed from office, whether by resignation, the 25th Amendment or impeachment. He invited the protestors, then he incited them to become a mob, and then he instructed this mob. Unless he is removed, the principle of the rule of law is completely shattered. Are you a supporter of the Constitution, or are you complicit?

Margaret Campion

Saranac Lake