Donald Trump’s brutal and personal attacks on political opponents can be attributed to the messy business of running for national office, and excused as such.

His attacks on Mexicans, Muslims, McCain, China and NATO each had a kernel of national interest beneath his sparring jabs – illegal immigration, terrorist threat, treatment of veterans, trade imbalance and European reliance on U. S. military help. All good reasons for an overdue trip to the wood shed.

But attacking federal judge Gonzalo Curiel based on the judge’s Hispanic background is a ‘bridge too far’ when looking for national interest. It is difficult to find a national security cause in a civil lawsuit involving one of Trump’s smaller companies. It appears trivial and unworthy of his virulent pursuit of this judge who did not rule in his favor by dismissing the case.

Trump’s reaction is akin to George W. Bush’s vengeful act of taking the country to war over a threat by Saddam Hussein to kill his father, then inventing a cache of nuclear weapons to justify the action. Look how that turned out.

The attack on Judge Curiel smacks of petty, personal interest by a bully using his pulpit for revenge – a trait not highly prized in someone seeking the presidency.

Let’s hope he corrects this error in judgment.

You are welcome.