Eric Fehrnstrom’s pronouncement that Donald Trump is not Adolf Hitler demonstrates only that Fehrnstrom apparently is attempting to provide cover for those who wish to rationalize support for a reckless, dangerous, and unqualified candidate, a candidate who has incited violence and trafficked in racism (“Trump isn’t Hitler,’’ Opinion, June 2). It can easily be established that no, Trump is not Hitler — for that matter, no one is — but that completely misses the threat Trump poses to American democracy.

The real question raised by historical comparisons is not whether Trump represents an exact replica of anyone else, but rather how the citizens, politicians, and media respond. Do they treat someone who has consistently employed violent rhetoric at his rallies, has personally attacked a federal judge hearing a case against his business, and has maligned groups of people because of their identity as fundamentally dangerous, as someone who needs to be rejected in order to defend the republic? Or do they rationalize Trump’s indefensible behavior and actions, defend support for him, and treat him as someone who can be tamed?

Ben Lieberman

Acton