Letters to the Editor | Feb. 26, 2025

Donald Trump shamefully betrayed Ukraine in a bow to Vladimir Putin. He calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator” and blames Ukraine for “starting the war,” which is absurd. He sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Saudi Arabia to negotiate an end to the war without Zelensky or European representation. Trump wants Ukraine to have an election. Why? To get rid of Zelensky, which is exactly what Putin wants. Where are the Republicans in office? Nary a peep, even though Russia is our adversary and an enemy of democracy. Trump disparages our friends and aligns with the autocrats. If his Republican colleagues don’t get a spine, then the slippery slope to losing our own democracy will become inevitable.

Tom Buglio, Malvern

President Donald Trump has capitulated to Vladimir Putin on Ukraine without forcing any Russian concessions, and even before any negotiations. What a great dealmaker! So far in his two terms, Trump is 0 for 2. He surrendered to the Taliban in 2020, and now he surrenders to the Kremlin. Not so much commander in chief, but surrenderer in chief.

John T. Lehman, Philadelphia

As a voter in South Jersey, I am outraged by efforts to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development, a nonpartisan agency that has protected American interests for more than 60 years. USAID prevents wars, famines, and refugee crises by tackling global instability before it reaches our borders. Former military leaders have repeatedly stated that cutting foreign aid leads to greater military costs. USAID is not just about helping others — it’s about protecting Americans. For less than 1% of the federal budget, USAID strengthens democratic institutions, prevents terrorism, and creates economic opportunities that benefit U.S. businesses. Eliminating it is not just shortsighted — it’s dangerous. I urge Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim to defend USAID and America’s leadership on the world stage. We must cut through the rhetoric and deal in facts, and the fact is that USAID is necessary. A strong USAID means a safer, stronger America.

Christine Tartaro, Galloway, N.J.

As a proud American, I am appalled at our country’s betrayal of not only our founding principles and our Constitution, but of our allies across the world. Our fathers, mothers, grandparents, and great-grandparents fought bravely against fascism in World War II. After the war, America made alliances to protect the world from aggressors and dictators. Now we have Vice President JD Vance telling our allies we will no longer support Ukraine and NATO, and giving verbal support to right-wingers in Germany. We have a president who is rewriting history with his lies — a history we have witnessed with our own eyes — and attempting to help carry out Vladimir Putin’s agenda to expand Russian domination against a sovereign Ukraine and other nations. Donald Trump has always bragged that he wanted to be the first American dictator. Are we and our Congress and U.S. Supreme Court going to stand by and allow this to happen?

Margot Forbes, Oreland

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