With Trump 2.0, we get all the cruelty plus an unelected billionaire breaking things | Opinion

Trump 2.0

There was great public outcry when President Donald Trump’s first administration forced family separations of immigrants at the southern border. Cruelty was the point, some said. Now, barely into Trump 2.0, cruelty is back, only more so.

On his second day in office, Trump pardoned a mass of people charged and/or convicted of offenses at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.

Days later, the president revoked government security protections for five of his own former officials or appointees: John Bolton, Anthony Fauci, Brian Hook, Gen. Mark Milley and Mike Pompeo. All are under active death threats from foreign or domestic actors.

Judging from gleeful reactions to the bold assassination of the CEO of United Healthcare in New York City, a number of Americans can be expected to rejoice over the murders of some, or all, of the above government officials who served their country and its Constitution with honor and distinction. Revoking protections when they remain under threat seems a thinly-veiled invitation to would-be assassins, perhaps members of the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers.

Enabling such an action is not just cruel; it is inhumane.

Arthur LaBar, Richmond

Voting power

We need to talk. There is a man in the US presidency who is doing—as promised—everything he can to destroy our democratic form of government and install a dictatorship. Politicians who could impede him are terrorized into acquiescence; the U.S. Supreme Court is a disgustingly unreliable check on his abuse of power; the press has been compromised by his greedy billionaire lackeys. His appointees are a sad and dangerous pool of inept toadies. The genius of the Constitutional separation of powers/checks and balances has been subverted.

Surely everyone has noticed all of this by now. Let’s face it — every person, you and I, can be bad or good, noble or nasty, depending on choice and circumstances, and the would-be dictator is empowering many to accept and display their worst selves. Let’s get a reset. Please become better informed about democracy and what it entails. Study the history of our republic. Think about the changes that have recently come about in our system of government. Decide whether you really want a transformation into autocracy and — as an informed citizen — vote accordingly, next time. As Lincoln asked, we must adopt ‘The better angels of our nature”. We can do it.

William Trigg, Frankfort

Musk control

So, Elon Musk has reportedly taken control of most of the IT systems in the federal government, in particular the U.S. Treasury Department. This means he can unilaterally decide which bills are paid, and which are not.

The U.S. constitution states that Congress controls how our taxes are spent. Yet, Musk (unelected, with no official government position) now has the power to unlawfully control government spending.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has decided to ignore a treaty which he negotiated in his first term: the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The president does have the power to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada, but only under certain conditions. None of these conditions exist. Failing to stop the (fictitious) flow of fentanyl from Canada is not a valid reason.

If a president can just ignore a treaty (even one he negotiated and signed), why would any country be willing to sign a treaty with us in the future?

So far, not a single Republican member of Congress has publicly objected to either of these actions. What do we even need Congress for if they don’t even object to unlawful actions, much less stop them?

V. Nelson Barnes, Lexington

Coleman v. Costco

In an effort to gain President Donald Trump’s favor, Kentucky Attorney General Coleman has taken on Costco for their commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion). Trump and Coleman are against it. And Coleman is doing it in the names of Kentuckians. I reject that he’s doing that in my name, though.

Let’s not be willfully blind. Recognize their actions and their goals. In their ongoing effort to resurrect discrimination, segregation and Jim Crow, the right, including AG Coleman, appropriate the acronym, DEI, and use it as a slur to imply blacks, women, LGBTQ, immigrants, etc., are unqualified and to blame for such things as the California fires and the airplane crash in Washington D.C. on it. DEI is the new N-word. Know it and be properly offended by their racism when they use it in that manner. It’s not just a mask, it’s a hood they wear.

Bill Adkins, Williamstown

Kentucky’s future

As a constituent, I am writing to urge U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) to protect the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a critical piece of legislation that is already delivering significant benefits to Kentucky’s First District. Through just two projects —EnerVenue & Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing for energy storage systems — the IRA is bringing $976 million in investments to our community. These projects are not only creating jobs locally but are also contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Statewide, the impact is even more profound. The IRA is projected to generate over 2,500 jobs and attract $2.6 billion in private investments in Kentucky. This is a transformative opportunity, positioning our state as a leader in the growing clean energy economy.

Massie has a unique opportunity to champion these initiatives, ensuring that our district and state continue to benefit from the jobs, revenue, and innovation the IRA fosters. Protecting this legislation is not just about economic growth--it’s about securing a brighter future for Kentucky families.

I urge Massie to stand with his constituents and support the Inflation Reduction Act. Let’s ensure Kentucky remains at the forefront of this economic and environmental progress.

Vasudha Deshpande, Florence

Barr’s fealty

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s (R-Ky) endorsement of President Donald Trump’s spending freeze reveals his fealty to the president takes priority over his obligations to his 6th District constituents.

Even though the freeze had shut Kentucky out of the Medicaid system, Barr said Trump’s spending “pause” was “the right thing to do” and that past presidents have done the same. A seven-term congressman should know by now that the U.S. Constitution gives Congress — not the President — the sole power over government spending.

As for previous presidents’ attempted power grabs, Congress passed the Impoundment Control Act in 1974 to restrict any future president from impounding Congressionally appropriated funds without getting approval from both houses of Congress.

Barr’s misleading statements and willful misinterpretation of the law indicate a willingness to undermine his own branch of government and the separation of powers all in an attempt to ingratiate himself with Trump.

Barr’s misplaced loyalty and lack of political independence is a disservice to the people of the 6th Congressional district.

Terry Gabbard, Versailles

Calling Paul

“Move fast and break things” is the mode of the new Trump administration, and Kentuckians have thoughts to express to their elected representatives. Staff at the offices of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (both Republicans) have confirmed that their phone lines are flooded. But today I want to call out the offices of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, because his phone system seems carefully designed to prevent his constituents from reaching him.

After many attempts, I have never reached a human. I have heard digitally distorted voicemail greetings and busy signals over and over for days. When I finally scored a clear signal from voicemail, I left a message that couldn’t be completed because the allowed time wasn’t even long enough to leave all the personal details I was asked to share.

I frankly disagree with the politics of all my D.C. representatives. But Sen. Paul is apparently afraid to even hear that disagreement. Or perhaps he just doesn’t care. Either way, he should be ashamed of this disservice to his Kentucky constituents. Listening is part of the job. In elected office, you cannot be a libertarian island unto yourself. Do your job, Sen. Paul.

Deborah Gerth, Lexington

Protests

So, a collection of left wingers gets together in downtown Lexington to protest a democratically elected administration (both electoral college and popular vote, by the way). Then they head over to an anti-capitalism (pro-socialism) rally. And the Herald Leader is there to dutifully cover all of it. I wonder if they would have done the same if Vice President Kamala Harris had won and conservatives got together to protest?

Doug Reed, Lexington

Rogers’ prison

While I was the Mayor of Buckhorn, I always found U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers to be available and eager to do things for his district, especially job creation. However, his push to build yet another prison in Eastern Kentucky is misguided.

First, these are not good jobs. Yes, they pay a wage, but that’s not enough. Working for an autocratic boss, punishing a group of strangers, all while most of the revenue goes to a wealthy out-of-state corporation, is not the definition of a high-quality job.

In my experience, we all want a job that makes a positive difference, and we certainly know that prisons are ineffective, often making men and women more violent and unemployable after their stay.

In Appalachia, our culture revolves around family, and a strong connection to family is one of the most important factors in preventing prison recidivism. Placing young urban people in rural Kentucky, hours away from their families doesn’t support strong family ties.

I urge Rogers to explore the idea of a bison reserve to add tourism jobs in the Kentucky highlands, or any other creative alternative.

Can the buffalo roam on a wind or solar farm?

Charles L. Baker, Louisville

Gun control

As a geologist who specializes in evaluating hazards and risk, I know there are effective steps the U.S. takes to mitigate hazards and reduce risk, both natural and human-caused hazards. We share information, fund research, and support one another to avoid hazards and accept some level of risk. Unfortunately, this normal approach to a safe society is not applied to the deadliest hazards: firearms.

In Kentucky, 842 people die and 1,857 are wounded by guns annually. Guns are the leading cause of death among children in Kentucky, with an average of 77 deaths every year. In no place else on the planet is this acceptable. The baffling part is that there are solutions to reducing violence and improving gun safety. Detroit changed the way police respond to calls and engage with city residents. They invested and gun violence dropped. Canada banned military-style assault weapons after a 2020 mass shooting, and they don’t struggle with the same level of gun violence.

The U.S. prioritizes the rights of a few over successful policies to protect us from gun violence. Even more bizarre, these approaches to reducing violence are somehow seen as extreme in the U.S. This isn’t freedom, and there ARE solutions.

Matt Crawford, Lexington

Rupp Respect

I am a bit old fashioned I admit. I feel any coach or team that’s comes to Rupp Arena deserves to be cheered. These kids, all of them, have dreamed of playing basketball in a college arena. They have practiced, fought and sacrificed for the privilege to walk on our court. Their families have been right beside them in this dream. Our coaches have been men who were driven to make this the best team they could. Coach John Calipari gave his heart to do the most he could for University of Kentucky basketball and Lexington. Let’s respect the heart and soul of all those who come to our house to play their best. We will be strong adversaries and we will appreciate their talent and sportsmanship. We are Kentucky Proud.

Paula Zirkle, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey