April 12, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: The United States has become a lawless nation; the president, now resembling a dictator, routinely violates the law without facing any consequences from Congress. This is not a static process, but has developed over time. When the president violates the law, this normalizes the violation, and sets a precedent. Thus, unless these violations are checked, a government descends down a slippery slope of accumulating lawlessness, into a banana republic system. These violations are attractive to the president, because they increase his power, but are bad for the country and for justice.
One of the worst recent U.S. violations of international and domestic law is the U.S. support for the Gaza genocide, especially the Genocide Convention, the Geneva Conventions, the Arms Export Control Act, the Foreign Assistance Act, and the Leahy Laws.
On Monday, April 20, the 50 Ways for Palestine group will hold its third teach-in on the legal issues around the Gaza genocide. This free event will be held in the Piovano Room of the Rockbridge Regional Library from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Only citizen action will end this lawlessness. EDWARD QUBAIN Rockbridge County
