Letters to the Editor | May 18, 2026

Some Republicans in Congress have confirmed how uninterested they are in issues confronting the United States by suggesting taxpayers now cover the cost of Donald Trump’s ill-conceived and illegal destruction of the White House complex and build his grand ballroom. Their reasoning is that it will keep the POTUS safe from political violence. This is their response to gun violence? How about the rest of us? Does a massive ballroom protect citizens in schools, malls, churches, synagogues, and other public places from unstable people with guns bent on violence? And as far as political violence is concerned, was there a proper response from Congress regarding the massive political violence of Jan. 6, 2021? The vast majority of Republicans wanted nothing to do with the House January 6 Select Committee unless they could gum up the works with diversions. They are now, in Speaker Mike Johnson’s words, “investigating the previous committee.” Do Republicans now support the Trump lie that Jan. 6 was a patriotic endeavor by loyal Americans and was “a day of love”?

A lot of Republicans in Congress are unserious partisan hacks who need to be sent home in November.

Bill Maginnis, North Wales

The road between the alt-right and science should not be one of high traffic, but that’s changed with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. News has broken that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is refusing to release reports linking COVID-19 vaccination to reduced hospitalization. Sadly, I’m not surprised. I’m inclined to take with a grain of salt the new “recommendations” from the nonmedical professionals heading the CDC. But at school, I hear vaccine skepticism from classmates. Don’t get me started on the internet, where anti-vax beliefs fester and multiply on Reddit and 4chan. It’s hard to blame people for not trusting a government agency that supposedly aims to protect public health. When the government seems to serve only the president, special interest groups, and alt-right conspiracists, they encourage a hive mind mentality and deepen the distrust of everyone else. What trust can people have in education when the educated are so blatantly spreading disinformation? When the public doesn’t know what’s real, how are we supposed to trust the scientists and educators who actually aim to help their communities, not push a political agenda?

Sylvia Connolly, Philadelphia

Donald Trump’s statements regarding Pope Leo XIV have been rightly condemned by Reps. Brendan Boyle and Brian Fitzpatrick as disgraceful behavior that isn’t fit for any world leader. Media posts portraying Trump as Divinity are equally offensive. Catholics who do not speak out are silent partners to the petulant, aggressive responses Trump shows to opposition.

This is continued testing of the waters for a broader effort to undermine institutions that uphold our society. After attacking education, the arts, free press, military leadership, and effective branches of government, Trump now turns to faith-based institutions. Will we continue to allow him to crumble the pillars of this country?

America has often failed in aspirations to be a temple of democracy, honoring ideals of the Enlightenment. Yet, we must pursue them. Protecting free speech and free exercise of religion are among the keystones. Is it time to throw these corrupt money changers out of the temple?

Rose Guerin Day, Ardmore

I don’t usually agree with anything Donald Trump does.

But I must applaud the president’s decision to nominate State Sen. Doug Mastriano as ambassador to Slovakia.

Anything that gets him out of Pennsylvania is OK by me.

Gerald Kolpan, Philadelphia

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