How Do We Talk About Opponents - And Why?

In his column, “Put Away Your Sword” (October 2025), Dan Whitmarsh suggests “rarely are our enemies the evil, inhuman, despicable creatures we make them out to be.”

Although I wouldn’t use those particular adjectives, what words would Mr. Whitmarsh like me to use to describe a public “servant” who is openly and gleefully attempting the following?

—Eroding confidence in our elections.

—Eroding confidence in our legal system.

—Abusing his position of public trust to enrich himself, his family, and his cronies.

—Publicly and viciously demeaning and vilifying anyone who may disagree with him.

—Stereotyping and dehumanizing groups of “others.”

—Conducting an organized campaign to consolidate power into his own hands by repeatedly attacking our system of checks and balances.

—Intentionally making statements that are demonstrably untrue.

I’ll leave it at that. How are we supposed to describe and think about such a person?