Letters to the Editor | May 27, 2026

In the excellent article recounting Chris Rabb’s victory over the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate, Sharif Street, Bob Brady continues the delusion that the results are not a “wholesale rejection” of the Philadelphia Democratic Party. I beg to differ. Brady, who has led the local party for decades, had the same nonchalant reaction to declining Democratic turnout and stinging election defeats in 2024 — defeats that continue to haunt us as Donald Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick do untold damage as they advance the interests of the ultra-rich and Big Data at the expense of ordinary citizens.

I am a Democrat and a committed volunteer. I agree with the principles and ideals expressed by the party. However, I will not support Democratic machine candidates in the city until they rid themselves of the ossified leadership and outdated tactics that have been shown time and again to be ineffective in winning elections. From his remarks in the article referencing a desire to “reclaim” the party, Street may have finally gotten the message.

From the size of Rabb’s victory and other gains by progressive candidates across the area, it seems there are lots of other folks who agree. The question is, when will Philadelphia Democratic Party leadership start putting winning elections ahead of clinging to power?

Cheryl Cook, Philadelphia

As an honorably discharged veteran of the Army Reserves, I’m often told, “Thank you for your service.” However, my service to my country — and the service of every American — is also to honorably pay our fair share of federal taxes annually to support the troops and other essential government programs.

It’s been revealed publicly already that in some recent years, Donald Trump paid zero federal taxes. My hope is that with many more Democratic candidates with military backgrounds running for political office this year, they will regularly remind voters that President Trump is a draft dodger, an insurrectionist, and a tax dodger. My question is, what is a billionaire like Trump hiding from us in his tax returns?

Reggie Regrut, Phillipsburg, N.J.

Our senators, Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, have repeatedly voted against requiring congressional authorization for war with Iran. They should be demanding answers about the rationale, goals, costs, and endgame of this conflict. Since President Donald Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear agreement, Iran’s enrichment capacity has grown, inspectors know less, anti-American sentiment has deepened, and we are no closer to a deal that makes us safer. Our senators should acknowledge these realities and reclaim Congress’ constitutional responsibility before more damage is done.

David R. Ross, Nottingham

I cringe every time I see reports of President Donald Trump “honoring” deceased (or living) members of our armed forces. He and his administration have belittled and disrespected us service members for years. He dodged the draft with trumped-up bone spurs, disrespected the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, called the war dead in a French cemetery “suckers and losers,” said he was attracted to alive Presidential Medal awardees rather than to Medal of Honor winners who died earning it, allowed severe cuts at Veterans Affairs, has unjustifiably fired top military heads of several military branches, stayed silent after his secretary of defense belittled the room full of top commanders of our armed forces, and on and on. He is no admirer of the military because I believe it reflects his satisfaction, very deep inside, that while we (I served as a Marine officer) stepped up to serve, he used his feet to run away, thus not becoming a “sucker” like us.

Luis W. Morales, Paoli

The same Republicans in Congress who were forced to run and hide on Jan. 6, 2021, are now considering compensating the same thugs who threatened them? Donald Trump wants a $1.8 trillion slush fund to reward all those who attacked the U.S. Capitol for the “mistreatment” they suffered serving time for their violent felonies. I guess a pardon for criminal acts isn’t compensation enough; they now deserve financial windfalls for attacking police and destroying public property? The corruption of this administration is unbelievable.

Trump wants to create his personal militia from these criminals and pay them with our tax money. Don’t be shocked when he rewards himself for the “pain” he’s suffered, too. He’s already doubled his wealth in a year by using the office of the presidency as his family’s storefront. On top of that, he wants total immunity from tax violations for himself and family — forever! He’s robbing all of us, and wants to guarantee it continues when he’s out of office. To most Americans, the last straw came when he pardoned the insurrectionists, or four years earlier, when he incited it. Now, he wants us to pay him and others for their criminality. This MAGA nightmare just continues as Trump and Republicans cheat America.

James Frank, Reading

What am I missing? President Donald Trump brought a suit against the IRS, which most legal experts said was illegitimate since it meant Trump was suing himself. However, before that question was answered, Trump dropped the suit and opted for a “settlement,” which included a $1.8 billion slush fund and, incredibly, an agreement to never audit the past, present, or future tax returns of Trump or his family or his businesses. How can there be a settlement for a case that was illegitimate from the start? And how can any settlement absolve someone of future transgressions? Congress appears ready to resist the slush fund. Equally as important is to fight the free pass given to the Trump family by the IRS.

C. Oatis, Philadelphia

Last Tuesday, Chris Rabb won the Democratic nomination for Congress in Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District. He was backed by a multigenerational, multiracial movement rooted in organizations including the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America, OnePA, API PA, Reclaim Philadelphia, Working Families Party, the Sunrise Movement, and more. This coalition won 44% of the vote using genuine effort, not artificial intelligence.

Ala Stanford’s campaign was caught using AI on a questionnaire when her staff forgot to remove the Claude AI disclaimer at the bottom of the response. Sharif Street’s campaign supporters released many AI-created videos and images that fell flat with 3rd District voters. Rabb won because the campaign was rooted in real people knocking on doors, talking to their neighbors, creating content using their own creative abilities, and strategic thinking and tireless hard work — not AI slop.

Pele IrgangLaden, Philadelphia

The writer is a member of the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America Electoral Committee.

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