to the editor: It seems our current president believes that his position in the highest office in the land gives him the right to put his name or desired brand on any building or agency he wants. The latest is to change the name of the former US Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace (“Trump is fighting the Peace Institute in court. Now, his name is on the building.” December 4). This removes the United States from its title, even though Congress created it to be independent and our taxes built the building, not President Trump.
This president does not understand that the buildings in our nation's capital are not his, but all of us; We the people, we the taxpayers. And those special monuments and buildings named after notable former presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, etc.) were named in honor of their valuable contributions to our nation. Those names were earned and bestowed out of respect, not self-appointed during the presidents' terms for self-promotion and aggrandizement.
Please, whoever is in power in Washington, stop this attention-hungry president from renaming our entire beautiful capital in your name. He potentially illegal The destruction of the east wing to make way for a new ballroom means anything is possible. How awful if Washington becomes our version of “Pottersville,” whose name Mr. Potter changed to Bedford Falls when George Bailey wasn't around to stop him in “It's a Wonderful Life.”
Beth Wagner Brust, San Diego
