Bribery, intimidation and obstruction of justice are all tools of a mafia boss. The president is acting like a mafia boss.

He and his White House cronies attempted to coerce the president of Ukraine to announce investigations into his chief political rival by withholding funds earmarked by Congress to battle against Russian takeover of their territory. The funds were released only after this secret coercion attempt became public knowledge.

The president then threatened the whistleblower, intimidated and attacked those called to testify. At the same time he obstructed the investigation by withholding documentary evidence and telling potential witnesses not to testify.

Equally at fault are his Republican supporters in Congress who let this happen unchecked and without rebuke. They used the inquiry to spread innuendos and besmirch the witnesses.

Bribery, obstruction and intimidation are all tools of a mafia boss and should not be tools used by the president of the United States to further political ambitions. He should not be allowed to get away with these criminal acts or there will be no checks on future abuses of power by the most powerful person in America.

Frank Vignola, Eugene