Donald Trump’s derogatory response toward those who took issue with him during his presidency raised the animus level and made respectful disagreements impossible. Maybe people need reminding that Trump got to be president by sowing discord and division, and he undermined democracy and encouraged the violence of Jan. 6.

Political violence can never be defended. Yet Trump acts as if he is just an innocent victim of unfair things that happened to him. There is no sense of personal responsibility; this is the real tragedy that has befallen America.

Telling young people that they must assume responsibility for what they say and do is of the utmost importance. Teaching our young people how to deal with and respond to people who see the world and the country differently falls to educators.

Larry Hoffner, retired