So very many things to write about in relation to the Trump administration: heads of departments being nominated with histories of opposing the very departments they are chosen to run; worrisome ties to Russia by so many in the administration; deportations that tear apart hard-working families; and bans on specific immigrants, to name just a few.

These are all exceedingly harmful to our country but I want to concentrate here on one effort by this administration that is truly chilling—demonizing of the press.

Trump has just declared that the press is “the enemy of the people.” Shocking and unbelievably un-American! All presidents have disliked much of the media coverage they have received but none has gone to these lengths to discredit the very institution that keeps us free.

The press unmasked the Watergate situation that led to Nixon’s demise, the Iran-Contra affair that exposed the arms for hostage transaction, and even Bill Clinton’s indiscretions. The free press keeps our leaders accountable and sheds light into the dark corners of politics. That is what distinguishes us from countries like North Korea, China and Russia, where the truth is what the leader says it is.

Our president is right on track to turn our country into a dictatorship. The first thing to go is the free press. When Trump says that “any negative press is fake news” and his followers need to listen to his accounts only, we have a big problem.

This administration has been the most prolific contributor to actual fake news as they repeatedly trashed Hillary with bizarre false conspiracy theories. And Trump, himself, continues to repeat over and over again claims that have been shown many times to be false.

A free nation must always question “alternative facts” and fiercely defend freedom of the press!