Editor,

Trump’s approval rating will never fall below 30 percent of the electorate — approximately 80 percent of the Republican Party — no matter how egregious his past or present behavior is proven to be, and it’s behavior that he’s willing to acknowledge without apology.

It’s the reason why Trump has been and will remain in full command of the Republican party, unless and until he decides to pass along his leadership mantle to someone else.

Approximately 30 percent of the electorate and too large a percentage of the Republican Party is made up of abortion rights opponents, QAnon adherents, anti-Semites, racists, Proud Boys and their ilk, “and some, I assume, are good people.”

Trump has delivered for them beyond their wildest dreams. Never before have they had a president who has so faithfully carried out their agendas, emphasis on the word faith. It is the belief of these extremist individuals and groups that Trump’s political appointments and policies are the fulfillment of a divine plan.

They interpret an attack on Trump as equivalent to an attack on their core religious beliefs.

To his millions of ardent supporters he has literally been the answer to their prayers. Repudiating him would be unthinkable. It would be like an attack on a pillar of their faith. He is to them, literally — yes, I’m going to say it — God’s messenger on earth.

No wonder Republicans won’t work with Democrats in the Congress. Would you if you believed Democrats were effectively minions of the devil?

Progressives, independents and Democrats who want to make progress on the many pressing issues facing our country today should give up on trying to compromise with post-Trump republicans.

It will never work.

Steve Burr

Clinton