It’s not just what’s written in stone. There are also many unwritten traditions we Americans respect. One of the most important, following the example of George Washington — who, once he left office, went back to Mount Vernon and was never heard from again — is that former presidents sit on the sidelines and resist the temptation to criticize their successors, no matter how much they disagree.

That tradition has been a great blessing. For more than 200 years, it has helped unite the country and provide continuity in government. It is an honorable and noble tradition.

And it’s also time to blow it up.

President Trump has already done so much harm in his second term that it has become unacceptable, cowardly and even unpatriotic for former presidents not to speak out and raise hell.

Maybe we can give Joe Biden a pass. Trump could easily dismiss any criticism from him as coming from a “sore loser.” But that’s not true of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. There’s no excuse for them to remain silent.

Clearly, no one could accuse them of being the first to break with tradition. Trump has shattered every tradition we once knew, starting with the most basic. The president telling the truth? Not Trump. Admitting the outcome of an election and accepting defeat? Not Trump. Attending your successor’s Inauguration? Not Trump. Respecting the rule of law? Not Trump. Honoring the limits of the presidency as laid........

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