Letters: Trump unequivocally puts himself above the Constitution

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Trump puts himself above the Constitution

When a president says his authority is limited only by his own morality, the Constitution has already been violated. The oath of office binds the president to law, not conscience, not instinct, not personal judgment. Claiming otherwise is a declaration that constitutional limits are optional.

This is not rhetoric. It is an imminent danger. A president who believes only he restrains himself is asserting personal sovereignty. That is the definition of autocracy. No court order, statute or congressional check survives if obedience depends on one man’s mood or self-image.

Donald Trump’s statement is incompatible with constitutional government. It is a direct repudiation of the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. A leader who denies binding law cannot safely wield executive power.

There is no middle ground, no alternative remedy, no period of waiting. This condition cannot be normalized or managed. The risk is immediate and escalating.

Mark Grzan
Morgan Hill

Government victimizes woman again in death

Re: “Minnesota governor wants state involved in investigation, but federal officials close door” (Page A1, Jan. 9).

The statements coming from Donald Trump, J.D. Vance and Kristi Noem following the tragic death of Renee Good show them to be cruel, sick, depraved individuals.

To think that this mother of three, with no apparent history of violence, who had just dropped off her 6-year-old at school, would suddenly throw her life away by running down an ICE agent is patently absurd. Protester, sure, but a peaceful one, i.e., blocking the roadway. However, within seconds, she found herself in a situation where she had to have been deathly afraid — one ICE agent trying to pull her out of the car, another drawing his gun — and, in those few terrifying moments, just wanted to get out of there with no intention otherwise.

Though one can question Good’s decision to flee, it is understandable. What is not understandable, acceptable or excusable are the government’s statements, statements of the type one characteristically associates with authoritarian regimes.

Kevin Cody
San Jose

Why didn’t the agent try to de-escalate?

Re: “Fatal ICE shooting echoes local cases” (Page A1, Jan. 9).

Renee Good, widow of a military veteran, mother of three children, was shot and killed in her car as she tried to get away from a confrontation with masked, armed ICE agents.

From the video, it appears that the ICE agent intentionally stepped in front of the vehicle to prevent her from moving out of the middle of the street. He turned to her and shot her three times. Staying away from the front of the vehicle and not firing a weapon would have saved her life and de-escalated the situation. Isn’t safety and de-escalation his training? Why cause more danger?

A tragic death that was made worse by instant judgment and defamation by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, President Trump and Vice President Vance.

How many more will be injured or die? Will we become numb like we have with mass shootings? ICE has got to be brought under control.

Mary Boyle
Sunnyvale

The wise choice is to vaccinate kids

Re: “RFK Jr.’s CDC is making America sick again” (Page A7, Jan. 9).

This was written by Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography, 1771:

“In 1736, I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the smallpox taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under — my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that therefore the safer should be chosen.”

If you don’t believe in vaccines, it is likely that you never had the diseases because you were vaccinated.

Be wise. Vaccinate your children.

Barbara Coffman
San Jose

As tensions mount, fear grows for the nation

I have lived in San Jose for over 50 years. During that entire time, I have faithfully read the daily paper and have prided myself on keeping up with the news through a variety of sources, including television and the printed word.

It is becoming emotionally difficult. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t find a continuation of the current downhill slide. There seems to be an attack without pause on almost everything that has made the U.S. such a wonderful place to live. Today, it is the National Opera relocating. Yesterday, the peace of several cities was disturbed by ICE. Before that, we decided to make an effort to control the Western Hemisphere using intimidation and military might.

What is next? This madness has got to stop. For the first time, I am genuinely worried.

Norman Orloff
San Jose

Time to stand up for soul of the U.S.

This is not the time for us to hold ourselves apart from our society, but to come to society with order and respect for the rule of law, with a sincere effort in trying to win the truth, and to reject the lies of this administration. This should be done with individual self-effacement for the good of the whole country, for the good of the whole people.

This is the time for the soul of America to march forward, rejecting the wrong and the lies of Donald Trump. Otherwise, the mad haywire that he brings to our country will destroy the soul of America.

Thomas Sutton
San Jose