Many thanks to Michael A. Cohen for his column “Trump’s dangerous war on the press’’ (Opinion, Aug. 7). I hope that more people will become increasingly aware of the parallels between 1930s Germany and America today. A leader can whip up public hostility toward immigrants, toward groups with different ethnicities or religions, and toward any individuals or institutions that disagree with the leader — a critical step on the way to a dictatorship. A democracy is fragile and vulnerable, and all people need to work to save it from disintegrating. If we stand by idly while it is under attack, we are complicit in its destruction.

Janet King

Wellesley