Cruelty, thy name is Trump.

Barbara Res, an engineer who ran Donald Trump’s construction operations in the 1980s, told The Washington Post, “It was always, ‘We’re going to sue’ whoever he thought was against him. He enjoyed it. He liked to make people suffer.”

After that collision over the Potomac River killed 67 people, our president quickly blamed DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) policies, without evidence, claiming that the Federal Aviation Administration was “actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.”

No doubt reflective racism played a part in such drivel. Imagine how the victims’ loved ones must have reacted to such naked politicization of unthinkable tragedy.

Trump also removed the security detail protecting the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, leaving him vulnerable to terrorists. Why? In his retirement speech, Milley eloquently denounced a would-be “king,” leaving little doubt who he was referring to.

Then there’s his administration’s attack on the U.S. Agency for International Development. Twice I taught writing classes for English-speaking Egyptian USAID employees in Cairo. They took great pride in helping their own people supported by U.S. funds, without which Russia and China would be sure to fill the “soft power” gap left in places like Africa.

During his first term, he actually asked about shooting protesters and illegal immigrants in the legs. When an arrogant leader mixes such cruelty with serial lying, we’re in serious trouble.

Dave Griffiths, Mechanic Falls