As Trump continues to trample on morality, where is the church? | Letter
Maine Resident Sends Letter to Editor Criticizing Trump Administration’s Policies
Gardiner, Maine – A local resident, Keith Vallencourt, published a letter to the editor in the Press Herald this week that attacks several actions taken by the Trump administration. The letter, written from the perspective of a Christian evangelist, compares the president’s conduct to historical atrocities and argues that the administration’s actions “do not reflect Christian values.”
Vallencourt, a long‑time resident of Gardiner, described how his childhood friendship with Jewish classmates, whose families had survived the Holocaust, shaped his view of the relationship between politics and morality. He writes that those early experiences made him wary of “the church’s” role in politics, particularly when he sees government officials acting in ways he believes are “right vs. wrong.”
In the letter, Vallencourt singled out four key policy areas:
Immigration Enforcement
He accuses the Trump administration of turning the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency into “a private army of thugs used to intimidate and terrorize dissenters.” “Where is the church?” he writes, questioning the moral standing of the government.Foreign Policy
Vallencourt claims that the president has “threatened peaceful neighbors with conquest and subjugation.” He points to the administration’s “no longer going to abide by the niceties of international law” stance, quoting officials as saying, “We’re a great power, we’re going to do as we please.”Judicial Conduct
The letter alleges that the administration “perverts justice and harvests bribes at every opportunity.” Vallencourt does not name specific cases but implies widespread corruption.Religious Rhetoric
The author repeatedly asks, “Where is the church?” to suggest that the administration’s actions are “like Satan” and contrary to Christian teachings, citing the phrase “Do as thou wilt” as an emblem of the administration’s philosophy.
Vallencourt’s letter reflects a broader national conversation about the intersection of faith and politics. He says he has long believed that “religion and politics should not mix,” but feels that the current administration’s conduct is a “clear‑cut case of right vs. wrong.” The writer ends by questioning how much more the administration must change before Christians, especially evangelical Christians, will feel compelled to speak out.
The Press Herald published the letter in its opinion section, where readers can leave comments and vote. It has sparked discussion among local residents, with some praising Vallencourt for his candor, while others argue that the letter’s tone is too combative.
The letter was submitted by Vallencourt on September 5, 2026, and appeared in the paper on September 10. It was written from Gardiner, a small town in Kennebec County, and references local concerns about national policy decisions that affect the community.
The Press Herald encourages readers to share their thoughts on the letter in the newspaper’s comments section.
