To the editor:

I have been so shocked at the news this past weekend. Contact Senator Cochran and Wicker to stop the take-over of the United States by Russian political and business oligarchy. This is for the future of our country as an independent Democracy. Require them, before the electors submit their ballots for president next week, to make Trump release his tax returns and the CIA must make public its report on Russia’s intervention in the U.S. elections in support of Trump. Because:

1. The CIA revealed that it has found credible evidence that Russia intervened in the election in order to help Trump become president.

2. Trump owes vast sums of money to Russians.

3. Several of Trump’s key campaign aides have close ties to Russia. Manafort received some $12.7 million in cash payments from a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.

4. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called Donald Trump “a clever man.” who should “quickly understand” his role.”

5. Trump has picked as his Secretary of State ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who is also close to Putin. Tillerson has been awarded the Order of Friendship, one of the highest honors Russia gives to foreign citizens.

6. Trump was defeated in the actual voting by a startling — and still growing — 2,676,670 votes.

Trump has suffered the largest defeat by a candidate elevated to the presidency by the Electoral College in modern history. Trump will turn our country into a dictatorship. Contact our Congressman and force them to protect our country.

Leah Johnson

Vicksburg