Letters to the Editor | July 2, 2026
Inquirer readers weigh in on the fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz and an effort to restore President Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center.
Messy MOU
This eternal blustering by the U.S. and Iran over the control of the Strait of Hormuz is just that. Two nation-states vying for control of a waterway neither has the right nor historical precedent to. I can’t say I blame Iran, which from any vantage point was — despite its history — unjustifiably attacked by Israel and the U.S. Where is Iran in this picture? Why is President Donald Trump taking full responsibility for keeping it open? What role should a NATO peacekeeping force be playing? Why are the peace negotiations being driven by Trump and Iran? Where is Israel in that picture? Unless Israel is totally complacent and under the thumb of Trump, how can he and Iran expect to sign a treaty governing southern Lebanon? Something just doesn’t smell right.
Tim Reed, Philadelphia
Heat safety
As Philadelphia welcomes thousands of visitors for a summer filled with historic events, matches, and celebrations, it’s important to remember that extreme heat poses serious health risks.
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Forecasts suggest above-average temperatures throughout summer — and we’re all really seeing the truth of that this week. The combination of heat, humidity, and dense crowds can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses.
There are three simple but critical steps everyone should follow:
Stay hydrated. Drink water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic beverages.
Stay cool. Take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned spaces. If your home is too warm, visit public places such as libraries, malls, or designated cooling centers.
Stay connected. Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those at higher risk. Make sure pets also have access to water and shade.
Philadelphia’s historic summer events should be a time of celebration. By taking a few simple precautions and looking out for one another, we can ensure this season is not only memorable but safe for all.
Jennifer Graham, CEO, American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region
Hubris
The latest example of legal malfeasance by the U.S. Department of Justice takes the form of its newly filed brief contesting the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Ignoring Public Law 88-260, which established the center as “a living memorial to be named in [JFK’s] honor,” the brief asserts that Trump’s name should also be on it. The reason being that the center’s trustees thought Trump’s experience building things warrants his name being placed back above President Kennedy’s, even though Trump was 25 when the center opened and he had nothing to do with its construction.
The brief gets worse, stating that Trump’s “construction abilities” would fix the building and restore it as a crown jewel of D.C. Apparently, neither the board of trustees nor anyone at the Justice Department has seen what Trump has done to two of the district’s other crown jewels — the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the East Wing of the White House.
Even if the laughable assertions in the brief were true, they are meaningless. The center was named for an assassinated president, and the name of a narcissistic opportunist doesn’t belong there, legally or otherwise. It’s impossible that Todd Blanche was unaware of this frivolous argument. This further cements his place as likely the most unfit person ever nominated to serve as attorney general. The only law he cares about is the law of Trump.
Stewart Speck, Wynnewood, speckstewart@gmail.com
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