At first they come for them, and who is next?
Brick, N.J.: It’s blasphemous to consider this a Christian nation when it’s being governed by an avalanche of cruel executive orders that run contrary to all the formerly treasured values of an America that once was. What’s being done in relative secrecy of deporting migrants on military aircraft flights should make the Statue of Liberty bow her head in shame. Many migrants and immigrant families in good standing (in the former America) are being notified that they must leave the country by a given date.
The helpless victims of this xenophobia include an honorable Haitian-born family living and working in Charlotte, N.C. The heartless notification of their expulsion ought to be published in every newspaper and magazine to serve as a mirror of conscience for a society on the brink.
The blatant racism and xenophobic, vengeful dynamics of full-blown fascism will continue to play out as the least powerful categories of people are “disposed of” first. But in a fascist dictatorship there is no category or class of people truly safe from a Hitlerish despot. Indeed, President Trump has promised to punish all his enemies, and he has plenty of time to get at everybody on his endless list. Even oligarchs are not safe unless they display Trump-worship. After all the pogroms, who will be left untouched in this sort of America?
Evangelical leaders must rectify their heresy (“Trump is God’s servant”) and denounce his ungodly cruelty. The Catholic bishops must grow enough backbone to speak out loudly against this multi-headed monster of fascism before all goodness in society is squeezed out like a crushed orange. Nicholas S. Molinari
Millinery evidence
Manhattan: Trump has the opportunity to have a deportation bonanza. He should send ICE agents to next season’s opening Chicago Bulls home game and order the agents to arrest and deport anyone wearing a Bulls hoodie or hat. They must be gang members or terrorists, a la Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Jeffrey Nelson
For his constituent
Newton, N.J.: To Voicer Angelo Vetrano: You should seriously consider your drinking and drug habits after the letter you sent. You want to criticize Sen. Chris Van Hollen for spending tax dollars to try and get Abrego Garcia out of that Salvadoran gulag — where he never should have been sent in the first place — but you’re mute about Fat Hitler’s numerous golf trips, appearances at the Super Bowl, NASCAR and MMA fights. At least the senator is trying to do something about righting a wrong, while Trump’s deranged Attorney General Pam Bondi openly defies court orders that would land anyone else behind bars. Like too many Republicans backing Trump, Angelo, you have lost all contact with rational thought. Michael Schnackenberg
In opposition
Huntington, L.I.: Voicer Jim Arneberg asks, “How did people vote for this clown?” I voted for Trump for the first time in 2024. The Democratic Party moved too far to the left to earn my vote. I voted against Kamala Harris more than I voted for Trump. Here is a partial list of what I voted against: DEI, wokeness, anti-white racism, limiting Supreme Court picks to Black women, open borders, defunding the police, support for BLM and CRT, the Green New Deal, identity politics, excessive spending on left-wing nonsense, reparations, eliminating ICE, citizenship for illegals, eliminating fracking, taxing the rich, national rent control, price controls, increased crime, changing bail laws, letting criminals go free, Medicare for all, increased welfare, calling whites racist at every turn, using the race card, Dems using the courts (lawfare) to go after Trump, the doomsday climate-catastrophe cult and its reckless energy policies, overregulation and student loan forgiveness. Tom Saracco
Boorish oaf
Floral Park, L.I.: Responding to anyone praising how wonderful and caring the present person in the White House is: I disagree with this statement completely. He is a selfish, cruel and abominable man. He deserves to be impeached as soon as possible. Regina Rossi
Honor her courage
Forest Hills: Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is my new political hero. She has told us the truth about her fear of retribution from Trump if she speaks her truth or opposes him on anything. To speak up in the face of fear is courage. I think all of us of any party should at least admire her, call her office and let her know how brave she is, and that the idea of being in fear of expressing yourself is un-American. She is a profile in courage, and she needs to know this from all of us who do not take kindly to bullies (yet another man bullying a woman — really?). Stew Frimer
Defensive posture
Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.: I noticed that in Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s photo with Trump, she sat cross-legged. I guess his history of crotch-grabbing is international! John T. O’Connell
One and done
Jacksonville, Fla.: Our vice president, who’s part of an administration that’s partaking in the cruel and inhumane treatment of Latino people in this country (shipping them out like cattle), meets with his high holiness Pope Francis, who then died just hours later! Could it be that God thought the pope had enough after having to come face to face with this guy? Carl J.C. Hafner
A godly man
Bronx: I am very, very sorry that Papa Francisco has crossed the bar. He was one of the best things that happened on Earth in our time. A humble, humane, diplomatic, principled and just world leader who looked forward beyond his time and circle. The beautiful gentleman had a conscience. I will miss him so much (even though I’m a Protestant). Rose Mary Lancaster
Gutless rhetoric
Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: TV host Greg Gutfeld has been lumping the animal protection movement in with the recent controversial woke/gender ideology/identity politics effort, even contemptuously stating that musician Moby “was one of the first animal rights people.” Wrong. People have been speaking out for animal protection for thousands of years, including ancient historians Horace, Plutarch and Epicurus. Irish politician Richard Martin passed one of the first farm animal welfare laws, the 1822 Prevention of Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act. He also founded the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1824, the first of its kind. Gutfeld especially loves promoting hate speech against cats, happily catering to those who feel justified in brutalizing helpless beings. Spewing shameful cruelty against innocent beings makes Gutfeld no better than the politicians he derides — a common, low-class bully. Yliana Franco
Toss it
Bronx: To Voicer Patricia Nuzzi, who complained of an electric scooter being left on her lawn: Drag the scooter into the street. W. Twirley
Localize your issues
Brooklyn: In a one-party state, with so many problems created by that party’s unchecked power, why does the Daily News Editorial Board feel the need to get out in front of potential legal issues for the party’s sitting attorney general (“Tish James’ rights and wrongs,” editorial, April 20)? So far, the federal government has not brought any action against James. No doubt, she’ll have a good legal team if they file charges. Your readers live in a place where drug stores need to lock up the few items they keep on the shelves, citizens regularly get slashed or pushed onto subway tracks in broad daylight and stepping off the curb has become an adventure thanks to unregulated e-bikes whizzing past. Your readers would be better served if you paused on obsessing over everything our president does and shine a light on some of the elected officials who’ve played a role in creating this chaos. Jack Flynn
Uplift women
Brooklyn: Re Voicer Mariann Tepedino calling the six females who went to space last week phonies: I think it’s wonderful for each woman to have this life experience. As women, we should lift each other up instead of tearing down. She then went on to criticize Gayle King for her fake eyelashes and ego. She also mentioned Gayle’s bestie (Oprah). It seems to me that she’s a hater and has nothing nice to say about anyone. These women didn’t ask for handouts or GoFundMe, they used their own money. Carol Singleton