Let’s not confuse legality with party loyalty

Philadelphia: Growing up surrounded by law enforcement, I find it troubling to read letters like that of the regular Daily News contributor Gregory J. Topliff. He enthusiastically supports and defends the questionable military actions of his idol in the White House, former President Trump.

Members of my family, including my uncles and cousins who serve in city and federal law enforcement, never let political ties cloud their judgment of what is lawful. Their commitment to justice meant they adhered strictly to the law as it stands, not as interpreted through a political lens.

In a manner typical of the MAGA Party, Mr. Topliff, you seem to selectively decide when to apply the law based on your support for the former president, who has faced criminal conviction. Where was your indignation when Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran leader found guilty by an American court for trafficking 400 tons of cocaine into the United States? And what about your response to Trump’s camaraderie with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who faces charges from the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine? Did it concern you that Trump ordered U.S. military personnel to roll out a red carpet in Alaska for this controversial figure?

I suspect not, as you appear to choose which criminals to defend or criticize based on their association with Trump. As a Democrat who believes in the equal application of the law, I urge adherence to our Constitution. Diane Doberman

All for nothing?

Briarwood: Is this some kind of cruel jest? Trump has conducted military operations resulting in over 100 deaths in his quest to control Venezuelan oil, only for the oil companies to refuse it! Such bizarre actions can only occur in Trump’s America. Mary Elizabeth Ellis

Special interests

Grafton, Wis.: When queried about whether the U.S. acts in its national interest, political activist Noam Chomsky noted that “national interest” is often a cover for the agendas of influential internal factions. This is clearly reflected in the Trump administration’s aggressive push for control over Venezuelan oil and his frequent meetings with top oil executives at the White House. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who previously led Liberty Energy, a major fracking company, is a key figure in this narrative. Trump even solicited a $1 billion donation from these executives for his 2024 campaign, while members of Congress reportedly hold up to $93 million in fossil fuel investments. When fossil fuel profits dictate policy, it is the vulnerable populations and our planet that suffer the most. Terry Hansen

Erratic rhetoric

Manhattan: So now Trump, the oil-obsessed crazy man, is actually warning Greenland that the U.S. is going to own it, and that this will occur “whether they like it or not.” We do not threaten other sovereign countries like this, especially NATO countries. Hopefully, this is just Trump spouting BS he’s not really serious about, like he’s done many times before as a way to distract us from issues where his polling is dropping through the floor. Even if that’s so, it’s still incredibly insulting to Greenland, not to mention the rest of the Free World. This crap must be addressed by other world powers immediately, not to mention all Americans. Michael Udolf

Peacemonger?

Sayville, L.I.: Trump recently said he has stopped eight wars and should get eight Nobel Peace Prizes, one for each. He also said he “stopped three wars that never even started.” He has reduced the number of wars by 200, 400, 800%! What a guy. Michael Hooker

Cost surge

Valley Stream, L.I.: If inflation is around 3%, why were insurance companies allowed to raise their rates between 10 and 20%? Right after I got my notice of my Social Security increase, my medical and long-term care insurance went up almost 20%. When will this be investigated? I ended up with very little increase in SSI. Can you politicians please do something about this? Joseph Gavin

Masked & dangerous

Manhattan: I think it’s worth knowing that, unlike ICE agents, the Gestapo did not wear masks! If ICE agents seem foreboding, it’s because they are! ICE is the equivalent of a five-alarm fire — lethal. Do not ignore! Frankie Turchiano

Doing their jobs

Spotswood, N.J.: ICE enforces laws that were passed by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. So if you are protesting ICE, you should complain to the people you elected. Tom Scott

Personal paramilitaries

Bronx: Trump is forming ICE into his own personal occupation army, accountable to no one, as anything they do will be covered up and lied about by his administration. This will only get worse, as he is literally throwing money at them to increase their numbers and is cutting training. He wants this army ready by 2026 to interfere with the election, and for 2028 to stage a full military coup if he loses the presidency so he can stay in permanently. That’s why he’s turning the White House into his personal palace. Sandi Lusk

Critical qualifier

Whitestone: To Voicer Arthur L. Mackey Jr.: Reading your letter as written, I agree with you 100%. However, one required word needs to be added, which changes the facts as presented. That word is “illegal.” Your letter would then correctly identify the reason ICE is there and without resistance. Also, if you correctly name the initial conspirators as illegal immigrants, the facts all change. They are here taking from my country what all the immigrants of years past built with hardship and hard work. They knew what was waiting for them, yet came to accomplish great things. We are a nation of laws. Break that theory and we are doomed. Please look in your mirror and reevaluate your moral fiber. And write another letter to our country’s immigrants and apologize for making them feel they should have taken the easy way in. Ferdinand Desiderio

Impending epidemic

East Meadow, L.I.: Now that Trump was able to get drug companies to lower weight loss drug prices, maybe he can get them to lower anxiety drug prices as well. With three more years of the Trump presidency, I’m afraid millions of Americans will need them. Jeff Tuck

Well-worn whining

Staten Island: The hit piece by David Moore (“A mayor for everyone, except New York’s Jews?” op-ed, Jan. 11) was unfair and transparently biased. Mamdani rescinded all executive orders issued by Eric Adams after he was indicted, as is Mamdani’s right, pending further review. To focus only on that which serves your “Mamdani is anti-Jew” rhetoric is false and self-servingly manipulative. The tired trope that anyone criticizing Israel or its policies is antisemitic isn’t working as well as it used to. That you dismiss progressive Jews and “fringe Jewish organizations,” as you call them, lends credibility to the argument that you have bias and contempt for those who don’t share your opinions. You undermined Mamdani’s campaign, didn’t vote for him and now have the hubris to tell him what he should or shouldn’t do? Continuing to criticize him unfairly by twisting facts just showcases your personal bias against him. Ellen Settanni

Experience counts

Brooklyn: Re “City’s planning honcho Garodnick quits after Zoh doesn’t offer big gig” (Jan. 9): Political transitions are always a bloodbath. But if an administration is committed to bottom‑up leadership, it should start by identifying who on its team actually knows how to accomplish the mission. The departure of Dan Garodnick, director of city planning, is a profound missed opportunity for a government that wants to prioritize community voice. Through the City of Yes, Garodnick raised the bar on community engagement, leading extensive conversations with every group affected, finding consensus and modifying policy to expand housing in NYC — a feat many once thought impossible. In Stuyvesant Town, he used the same community‑driven approach to push back against corporate interests and co-create durable, innovative solutions. Making government more bottom-up isn’t just about shifting policy, it’s about having leaders who know how to share power. Dara Barlin