As a lawyer admitted to practice 41 years ago, I took an oath to uphold both the United States and New York constitutions. I have tremendous respect for, and remain committed to, the rule of law. We may not agree whether a law is fair, but there are procedures to change the laws, or create new ones.

Following the law is essential to an orderly society. I take great pride knowing that I play a part. Our Constitution and amendments provide assurance that, for the most part, laws will be followed. Without this there will be chaos.

The pardoning of those who participated in the assault on our capital on January 6, 2021, combined with the purging of prosecutors who held them accountable, is deeply offensive. This is nothing less than an attempt to whitewash history, and reframe the violence of that day, as patriotic. The president has turned the oath I took as an attorney (not to mention the oath that Pres. Trump took when he was sworn in, twice) upside down.

On his first day in office, Mr. Trump pardoned and/or granted clemency to all of them. These actions are the result of a vengeful president who has stated that the events of January 6, 2021 constituted a “day of love”.

Some of those he pardoned, and/or granted clemency to, assaulted police officers, sometimes with the officers own batons, as well as flagpoles, baseball bats, stun guns, pepper and bear spray. One of those officers was dragged by a rioter into the crowd for the purpose of violently assaulting him. They smashed through windows and doors searching for elected officials, again for the purpose of assaulting and/or killing them. I am filled with disgust that this is the outcome from that horrible day. There is no doubt in my mind that the January 6 rioters think they have won.

Now, here we are, 4 1/2 years later and the president and his administration are eliminating the prosecutors who represented our country, and/or don’t fall in line with the president’s wishes. As a prosecutor, those attorneys stand up in court and state that they are representing the people, not Donald Trump.

Our country is not immune to fascism. The current administration makes extravagant promises, and tries to divide Americans by pitting racial, political, religious and economic groups against each other. It is only through democratic processes, in solving our countries’ issues, can there be certainty that fascism won’t happen here. This administration aggressively pursues their accumulation of power because frightened people let them do so.

It is time we all recognize the danger facing us and what is at stake. To sit idly by and take no steps to counter this threat is precisely what this administration wants. Instead it is up to all of us, it is our duty to oppose this tyranny. I fear for what may happen if we don’t.

Daniel Gullotti is a Jamestown resident.