Letters to the Editor | Jan. 20, 2026

Donald Trump was at a Ford factory last week to continue his lies about the great state of the economy. As the president shuffled through, employee TJ Sabula called Trump a “pedophile protector.” Our illustrious leader replied with an expletive and flipped Sabula the bird. The company then suspended Sabula because Ford has a “core value of respect and values its policy against anything inappropriate … within our facilities.” Facts are stubborn things. Based on the facts of the incident, it was Trump, not Sabula, who should have been escorted from the factory floor. But facts do not exist in Trump World. The PR team for the tired, old, thin-skinned, wannabe king issued a statement saying that “a lunatic was wildly screaming expletives.” On that much we agree.

Jim Lynch, Collegeville

Much has been written by Donald Trump’s supporters alleging that his detractors are afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome: an extreme, negative, and hateful reaction to the sitting president. While there are many folks from the progressive (and moderate) side of the political aisle who may detest the man, I would suggest that the number of voters who abhor his policies, declarations, edicts, tweets, and contemptible rhetoric far outnumber those who irrationally “hate” him. Separating the man from his (un)presidential actions will be necessary if the nation is to begin the process of extracting itself from bipartisan discord.

While it is not our right to judge any person as moral, amoral, or immoral — that determination rests solely with the Creator — it is our responsibility, as citizens living in a democratic republic, to voice concerns and criticisms when elected leadership fails to lift up the human condition. Christians are instructed explicitly and frequently to love all people at all times, but that axiom does not prohibit disapproval of deeds and words that fall short of righteous norms. Blind followership and ad hominem attacks are counterproductive to achieving that elusive more perfect union. A more judicious approach is to avoid hate and embrace critical analysis of executive decision-making.

James L. DeBoy, Lancaster

I appreciate the update regarding just how much the violent crime rate has decreased in Philadelphia and other cities since DNA and a willingness to put the guilty in prison rather than “convenient suspects.” The slap on the wrist for the retired officers who lied about DNA evidence and helped send a man to prison for a crime he did not commit is yet another example of the brutality and disrespect for the people. These past practices have caused crime rates to stagnate, and “defunded” families of justice, people of their freedom, and taxpayers of their dollars. Maybe the call to defund the police would be better stated by saying they defunded us first.

Mara Obelcz, Hatfield

I am writing in response to the recent op-ed by Ira Cantor regarding the growing crisis in pain management. As a patient with chronic pain, I can attest that responsibly prescribed opioid medication has allowed me to function, work long hours on my feet, and participate meaningfully in family life. Before receiving proper care, pain controlled every aspect of my day. Since beginning treatment, my quality of life has improved dramatically, without misuse, impairment, or adverse effects. Unfortunately, increasing restrictions and pharmacy shortages now threaten that stability, leaving responsible patients fearful of withdrawal and a return to debilitating pain.

Abuse of any medication should be addressed, but eliminating access for everyone is neither compassionate nor medically sound. Patients who follow their treatment plans shouldn’t be punished for the actions of a minority. I believe pain medication, when practiced carefully and ethically, restores dignity and functionality. That should be protected, not dismantled.

Shea Roggio, Phoenixville

Regarding “Murphy’s veto may doom N.J. town’s Groundhog Day.” When Pennsylvania’s Groundhog Day began in 1887, women couldn’t vote. People could be jailed for insolvency. The Prohibition movement was active and strong. Times change, as they should. It is long overdue for the good folks of Milltown to recognize the evolving public sentiment about forcing animals to participate in gratuitous spectacles. Using any animal as a marketing tool should be relegated to the dustbin of history. Groundhogs are shy, solitary animals. Their burrows are engineering marvels, going many meters deep with multiple rooms for specific purposes, like nesting and waste. Although they like to wander, they can climb trees and are good swimmers. It’s time to stop exploiting animals for “entertainment.”

Jennifer O’Connor, senior writer, PETA Foundation, Norfolk, Va.

It’s both terrifying and a shame that President Donald Trump and minions all think their job is to protect the MAGA brand at all costs. Even in the face of a murderous shooting, their first instinct was to go public with easily discreditable lies about what occurred. They did so because they needed to inform the MAGA cult how to think about the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, even before seeing the various videos themselves. That’s their instinct. Not to show leadership to the whole country and calm the situation.

If you saw the videos — saw Good say, “Dude, I’m not mad at you,” saw the shooter look her in the eye with his own camera while also holding a gun, saw her vehicle turning away from the shooter (not into), saw the shooter walk over 100 feet back to his vehicle without a hint of a limp or injury — and still believe the shooting was justified, then you are part of the cult. In the final passage of 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.” That’s why Trump et al. spoke out before the body was cold. Maybe this will become Trump’s Kent State moment.

Richard Golomb, Philadelphia

The sudden cancellation of a 60 Minutes segment about Donald Trump’s immigration policy and El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center is just the latest example of the suppression of news perceived as critical of this administration. It seems like every day another media outlet or news source is being compromised, co-opted, or crushed by the powerful, unrelenting forces opposed to independent, objective reporting. I must express my gratitude and appreciation to the owners and editors of The Inquirer for their steadfast commitment to fair and accurate coverage of what is truly a sad and frightening state of affairs in this country.

I hope my fellow Philadelphians realize just how fortunate we are to still have this voice speaking truth to power when so many others have been silenced. Thanks especially to The Inquirer’s opinion and editorial writers, who every day demonstrate that there is still integrity and ethics in journalism, and who give me hope we will get through this dark period and that our republic may yet endure for another 250 years.

Arthur Meckler, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.