Marshall Helmberger

As reported this past week, five Republican state senators in Minnesota, have introduced a bill in the Legislature this year that would classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a newly recognized mental health diagnosis.
I think these fine senators (and one alleged child predator)may be on to something. I, like them, believe that Trump Derangement Syndrome is very real and dangerous to the country. But I’d like to suggest a friendly amendment to their bill that I think would help all of us more easily recognize the many symptoms of this unfortunate condition.
Symptoms would include, but would not be limited to:
• Believing that the 2020 election was stolen.
• Believing that a man convicted of 34 felonies in a criminal case, and sexual abuse and defamation in a civil case, has any business being President of the United States.
• Believing that tariffs are paid for by countries whose companies export products to the U.S.
• Believing that the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the nation’s Capitol building, which caused millions of dollars in damage and left more than 100 police officers and many protesters badly injured, was “A Day of Love.”
• Believing that the president should decide which reporters can cover him, rather than the news organizations themselves.
• Believing that the U.S. has a right to claim the territory of other countries.
• Believing that the war on Ukraine was started by Ukraine, not started by Vladimir Putin and Russia.
• Believing that the U.S. is now respected, rather than reviled, throughout the world as a result of the actions of Donald Trump.
• Believing that Canada, Mexico, and Europe are our adversaries who should be subjected to tariffs, while encouraging free trade with Putin’s Russia.
• Believing that Donald Trump will reduce the federal budget deficit.
• Believing that Donald Trump knew nothing about Project 2025 even as his administration is moving quickly to implement it.
• Believing that Medicaid should be slashed, putting rural hospitals and clinics at risk right here in northeastern Minnesota, all to pay for more tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-rich.
• Believing that a political party that changes its “principles” moment-to-moment, depending on the latest ramblings of their president, is anything other than a cult of personality.
• Believing that Donald Trump has any intention of using his authority as president to benefit the country, rather than himself.
• Believing that the GOP will ever stand up for the U.S. Constitution in the face of Donald Trump’s daily violations.
I move for the adoption of the above-noted amendment. All in favor, say aye.