But these actions by the Trump administration go far beyond that. ADVERTISEMENTWe are witnessing masked federal agents attacking, violently shoving, kicking and in some cases shooting and killing American citizens. But their complete failure to stand up to the obvious abuse of power by the Trump administration is destroying their legacies and reputations. If they cannot find the courage to stand against government abuse of American citizens, they should resign or be held in contempt by the judgment of history. Kent Conrad represented North Dakota in the U.S. Senate from 1987 to 2013.