Letters to the Editor | April 21, 2026

I want to applaud professor Jonathan Zimmerman for speaking out about the University of Pennsylvania’s decision to cancel his planned debate with Steven Crowder.

Prior to reading The Inquirer article, I was not familiar with either professor Zimmerman or Mr. Crowder. What matters is the principle at stake. A university of Penn’s stature, if it wishes to maintain its esteemed reputation and truly lead in educating future generations, must stand firmly for the importance of free speech and open dialogue.

We are approaching the 250th anniversary of our nation, a country that was quite literally founded through open debate, much of it in Philadelphia. The ideas that shaped America were forged through disagreement and the willingness to engage opposing views.

Universities should be places where differing viewpoints are not only tolerated but encouraged. Structured, respectful debate is one of the most effective ways to challenge assumptions and deepen understanding.

Rather than canceling events like this, the administration at the University of Pennsylvania should take a hard look at its policies and find ways to foster more open forums. In a city so deeply tied to the history of free expression, Penn has both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead by example. As a Penn graduate and a proud Philadelphian, I call upon the administration of the University of Pennsylvania to step up and lead.

Jim Owens, Ventnor, N.J.

The 25th Amendment is one of the most consequential constitutional mechanisms available, allowing the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to declare a president unable to perform the duties of office.

Section 4 states that a vice president can become president whenever they, together with a majority of the cabinet, deem the president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”

Donald Trump has come unglued in the face of a war he cannot win — a war that could be the world’s economic undoing and his political unraveling. The people around him — those who enable him — should stop him from committing these war crimes. And we should speak up loudly to make sure they do.

Republicans in Congress can’t hide anymore: We must consider all options — including impeachment — to stop Trump. This is a serious conflict, not a reality show. We need steady, diplomatic leadership. What we’re seeing now is insane behavior from a deranged president. It’s time to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Robert Gish, Newport, Pa.

I think Democrats are misguided in their recent calls to remove Donald Trump from office. While I understand where they are coming from — based on the president’s unhinged behavior — calls for impeachment or invoking the 25th Amendment are not the way to go. First, any such attempt at this point has a 0% chance of success. Second, all these calls will do is help Trump reinforce his narrative that Democrats are just “out to get him.” If Democrats want to rein in Trump, they should be laser-focused on the midterm elections. Rising prices, a shaky economy, global chaos — Trump seems to have gone out of his way to hand Democrats the midterms. They should not squander it away with doomed publicity stunts.

Stefan Keller, Huntingdon Valley

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