On Jan. 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump put his hand on a Bible and swore the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

On Dec. 3, 2022, former President Trump, still smarting from his loss in the 2020 election, posted this on his Truth Social media platform: “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude (the 2020 election result) allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution Our great ‘Founders’ did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!”

Trump has spent the last two years ranting about the “false and fraudulent” 2020 election without producing a scintilla of evidence showing there was anything at all fishy about the election.

Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. In announcing his candidacy after the 2022 midterm elections, he seemed focused on the future, intent on helping the country recover from the “disaster” of the Joe Biden presidency.

His statement this week indicates he is not so interested in “Making America Great Again” as in making Trump great again.

Even Republican office holders, like Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, repudiated the statement and indicated Republicans should pay close attention to such statements in selecting their next presidential candidate.

The Constitution was written to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” not to protect an individual’s hold on power. Trump’s contention that the Constitution could be cast aside when it suits his interests should let Republicans know what kind of regard he has for them and the rest of Americans.