Trump “…hollows out the very U.S. institutions that serve as the first line of defense in protecting us,” because in his mind, “us” is synonymous with “me.” Trump’s mind doesn’t recognize the separate existence of other people. HE is the U.S., and the U.S. is HIM. He’s only concerned with whether other people meet his infantile need for exact mirroring…he calls this “loyalty.”

He has no capacity to recognize that our intelligence agencies are working to protect the lives of ALL 340 million Americans. He only cares if they are performing mirroring functions for HIM, obedience, and “loyalty” to HIM. He can only tolerate hearing back from others the echo of his own beliefs. If you see things differently than he needs you to, you’re fired.