What to Expect in a Second Trump Term

More from our inbox:

• A Redundant Efficiency Department
• Science and Public Policy
• Emotional Tears

Credit…Eric Lee/The New York Times

To the Editor:

When Donald Trump retakes the reins of the presidency in January, he will face a choice of which path to take.

The first is to use the office as a cudgel, punishing his perceived enemies and rewarding his most ardent supporters, enriching himself and his family in the process. For a man who has built an empire by turning situations to his advantage, the temptation to do the same with the presidency might be hard to resist.

The second path is more challenging, but it’s one that could secure Mr. Trump a vaunted place in history. Imagine a presidency in which he seeks to uplift the most vulnerable and implement programs that benefit all Americans, not just those who voted for him.

Although his recent cabinet selections suggest otherwise, it’s not too late. Admittedly, this approach would require humility and restraint, qualities Mr. Trump is not necessarily known for, but if he did embrace them, he could astonish even his harshest critics and leave a legacy that transcends personal ambition.

Mr. Trump likes to compare himself to great historical figures, like Lincoln. Here is his chance.

A lot of talk is about how Mr. Trump has no guardrails this time around. He’s free to do what he wants. That cuts both ways.

The question is simple, but the answer is profound: What kind of legacy does Donald Trump want to leave?