TO THE EDITOR:

Sheriff Deringer was a speaker at the Buffalo Trump rally on Oct. 14th. Before that, he attended the Mankato Trump rally in August, saying that his community supported his attendance (The Patriot, Aug. 29).  It appears Sheriff Deringer is quite a committed activist for Trump.  This raises several questions: Which constituents support his political activism? What is the nature of his support for Trump, for example, does he believe Q-anon conspiracy theories that Democrats cannibalize and drink the blood of children? And/or, more relevant to his official capacity as Sheriff, does he support the vigilantism of violent far right extremist (aka terrorist) groups like the Proud Boys, who the president has failed to denounce and who were responsible for the 2017 deadly violence in Charlottesville?  Can local extremist groups who are “standing back” and “standing by” expect his support, if push comes to shove?  The public deserves to know.

It is my hope that Sheriff Deringer didn’t think through the message his partisan involvement sends, will stand down from his political activism, and fully disclose his position going forward, so that all voters are fully informed when he is up for re-election. 

Rose Thelen, Clearwater, MN

Karen Lohn, Annandale , MN