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Letters to the Editor | Jan. 27, 2025

Inquirer readers on executive power, birthright citizenship, and eliminating the sheriff's office.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf watches as President Donald Trump signs an executive order at Capital One Arena on Jan. 20 in Washington.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf watches as President Donald Trump signs an executive order at Capital One Arena on Jan. 20 in Washington.Read moreEvan Vucci / AP

Unchecked power

As I wolfed down my daily bowl of oatmeal the other morning, I happened to catch a portion of the BBC’s Newshour on the radio and heard of the perilous pardoning power being wielded by Donald Trump on his first day in office. The heinous crimes of Jan. 6, 2021, were immediately washed away by one swipe of his unscrupulous executive pen with no regard for the rule of law. Just prior to the discussion of this ungodly whitewashing of unpardonable misdeeds, I also heard another unsettling assault by the grim reaper: his plan to undo the birthright clause, an unconstitutional attempt to purge America of these dreamer children.

What are our options to confront this specter of executive power run completely amok? Are we forced to stand idly by while this so-called POTUS dismantles and makes a mockery of our judicial system? Can we appeal to Congress to finally make a stand? The system of checks and balances is completely compromised when more than half of Congress wears blinders and earplugs when it comes to the abuses of power on display daily by this political henchman.

We must insist the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution are nonnegotiable. It seems to me some courageous individuals need to stand up and insist that all U.S. citizens, including our president, must abide by the dictates of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Jeff Pearsall, Wayne

Red flag

Before the ink had dried on the executive order to eliminate automatic citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, it was obvious it violated the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. However, it is not surprising President Donald Trump never thought about that before he called for and signed the order. That raises a very red flag. Is there no one among his staff or advisers who can say, “No, you can’t do that”? During his first term, there were some in his administration who could guide him away from his most negative impulses. If the birthright citizenship issue indicates there is no one who can do that now, we are in for a very rough ride.

Joel Chinitz, Philadelphia

Council change

So City Council members feel bruised by the callous way they were treated by the 76ers? Maybe they should think about how all of us who opposed the arena are feeling about them. At the top of their spring agenda should be rebuilding trust with the community. Showing they can hear real people and not just special interests with deep pockets. My advice for legislative agenda item No. 1? Get rid of the sheriff’s office. It’s a public embarrassment, a hazard to public safety, and an obstacle to solving the housing problem. Change the City Charter to get rid of the office and transfer its responsibilities to competent city agencies.

Davida Charney, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 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.