In the summer of 1996, I was working at the Hearst Newspapers Washington, D.C., Bureau. On the night that the Olympic torch was being brought to the White House as a stop on its journey to the Atlanta Olympic Games, I was lucky enough to be standing with the press contingent on the South Lawn, awaiting the flame’s arrival.

The president and first lady were hosting an elegant, outdoor dinner just below the Truman Balcony. The Marine Band was playing. The evening air was warm. Fireflies floated above the immaculate grass.

I turned to look out toward the Washington Monument and caught sight of the small flame being carried along a far street, getting closer and closer at a runner’s pace to the White House rendezvous.

For many reasons, it was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Part of my feeling that night was simply pride – pride in my country.

I am certain I would not feel that pride today if I were in the same position on the South Lawn. The grass is now covered by a gigantic outdoor arena where a for-profit cage fight will be staged on the current president’s birthday. Just to the side is the scarred ground of the demolished East Wing and the construction site for an unauthorized, gargantuan, garish ballroom that will dwarf the president’s mansion.

The White House complex is sacred ground for Americans. It has been utterly desecrated by the narcissistic impulses of President Donald Trump.

In 1996, Bill Clinton was president and, even if there was an unseemly side to his private behavior (as has been the case with many presidents), Clinton knew that his public role was to represent the country with dignity and respect for the traditions and history of the United States. Every president has displayed that public dignity and respect – until Trump.

No one can pretend this cage fight is happening to honor the 250th year of American independence. It is happening only to enrich Trump’s cronies and feed the president’s voracious appetite for constant attention and sycophantic praise.

It is an obscenity.

See more of David Horsey’s cartoons at: st.news/davidhorsey

View other syndicated cartoonists at: st.news/cartoons

Editor’s note: Seattle Times Opinion no longer appends comment threads on David Horsey’s cartoons. Too many comments violated our community policies and reviewing the dozens that were flagged as inappropriate required too much of our limited staff time. You can comment via a Letter to the Editor. Please email us at letters@seattletimes.com and include your full name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters are limited to 200 words.