We have just celebrated the 249th Anniversary of the founding document of our nation — the Declaration of Independence. I have a direct family link to the facsimile text of the Declaration so widely published in recent days.  That text — carefully written out on vellum with a quill pen was the handiwork of Timothy Matlack, who is often called the Scribe of the Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in 1776.

Timothy was a Quaker and sometime small businessman who was called upon to draft various legal documents due to his skill with a quill pen. He joined the militia in a battle against British troops in New Jersey early in the war for which he was thrown out of his Quaker meeting. Through the rest of a long life he was active in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania state politics on behalf of expanding the vote to ordinary (white, male) citizens.

I take pride in the family connection to the Declaration and its "created equal" affirmation however short we have fallen at times from this ideal that lies at the heart of our political heritage.  Never more so than now under the corrupt and lawless conduct of the Trump Administration.

In countless ways Trump has violated both law and custom under the Constitution in a shameless quest to establish authoritarian rule. The long list of offenses by King George in the Declaration can be matched one for one by modern-day counterpart episodes of misconduct by Trump. The legacy of the founders and their caution about an over-strong executive have been swept away by mindless MAGA support for Trump's excesses.

This whole situation was exemplified in a recent encounter in the Oval Office. On May 2, President Trump was seated at the Resolute Desk while Terry Moran (ABC News) was standing beside, looking about the office. Their exchange was recorded and later broadcast for all to see. 

In addition to all the gaudy gold newly installed by Trump — a vulgarian's notion of how to look successful — Moran noted a framed version of the Declaration on the wall. Rumor was that Trump had tried to get the original text written out by Timothy Matlack but was wisely denied by the Archives. Instead a vintage printed version may be involved since the frame has a curtain to draw across in order to reduce fading due to bright light.

Moran said: "I see that you have the Declaration there. What does it mean to you?"

Trump's astonishing reply was: "Well, it means exactly what it says. It's a declaration. It's a declaration of unity, love and respect and it means a lot and it's something very special to our country."  

Trump reveals his ignorance of the actual content and significance of the document.  No President has been so historically illiterate or done more to betray the promise and the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

Jim Matlack lives in Camden