Today's Denver Post 'nails it'

The recent pardon of convicted former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio by President Donald Trump illustrates a continuing and dangerous pattern of this president to challenge the authority of the nation’s judicial branch of government. Trump has consistently attempted to circumvent judiciary decisions he does not agree with and has disparaged judges who have issued those decisions. This narcissistic and alarming behavior can also be seen in his contempt toward the legislative branch when he issues personal attacks against those congressional representatives who oppose his misguided policies. Furthermore, Trump persists in his attacks on the free press, discrediting its reporting when it doesn’t align with his distorted perceptions and beliefs. These deliberate efforts by the president to impugn the roles of the legislative and judicial branches of government, as well as the free press, constitute a direct threat to our democracy.