Trump vs. the ‘Enemy of the American People’

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/opinion/trump-vs-the-enemy-of-the-american-people.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Trump Calls Media the ‘Enemy of the American People’ ” (news article, Feb. 18):

President Trump said on Friday that the press “is the enemy of the American people,” a comment that Senator John McCain responded to by saying “that’s how dictators get started.”

Citizens should be concerned by this type of rhetoric, and the best response is to subscribe to a newspaper if you haven’t already.

ED O’BRIEN

Metuchen, N.J.

To the Editor:

You’ve got to hand it to Donald Trump. He knows how to use the media to his advantage. It was candidate Trump who received at least $2 billion worth of media coverage with his dramatics on the campaign trail (“Measuring Trump’s Big Advantage in Free Media,” The Upshot, March 17, 2016).

Now, President Donald Trump uses the media again, this time by denigrating the media for reporting what they see. He creates the “enemy” because he needs to avoid substantive comments on real issues, and his oft-repeated “believe me” can be the only truth his followers will hear.

ELLIE BERNER

Stratham, N.H.

To the Editor:

Re “Why We Need a Trump Doctrine,” by Zbigniew Brzezinski and Paul Wasserman (Op-Ed, Feb. 20):

President Trump is very fortunate to be offered the wisdom and prescience of Dr. Brzezinski and Mr. Wasserman to help formulate a cogent coalition of world leaders. But let us be mindful of the actions of Mr. Trump thus far in the early weeks of his presidency that are diametrically opposed to such a world vision (to name a few, “America First,” the barring of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, and disparagement of NATO and the European Union).

We also need to acknowledge President Trump’s willful ignorance of world affairs, and his equally willful self-aggrandizement in the context of addressing the public.

To think that such behavior exhibited by Mr. Trump in his election campaign will magically disappear and be replaced by a presidential demeanor is woefully and utterly naïve.

JULIE FRAZIER

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

To the Editor:

Re “Trump Speaks Out Against Anti-Semitism” (nytimes.com, Feb. 21):

Good for President Trump for finally, belatedly, condemning anti-Semitic incidents and threats. Now, as a Jewish American citizen, I would like to see Mr. Trump condemn incidents, threats and violence against Muslims, people in the L.G.B.T.Q. community and other minorities.

Let’s not forget that the Constitution stands to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority. Mr. Trump swore to uphold that Constitution, and this is only one tiny step in that direction.

BARBARA HILL

New York

To the Editor:

Re “Contradicting Trump on Russia: Remarks From Russian Officials” (news article, Feb. 21):

It is not surprising to have evidence contradicting President Trump’s statements concerning his dealings with Russia; the president often confuses fact, fiction and falsehood.

To evaluate Donald Trump’s claims about his dealings with Russia, we must have the evidence included in his tax returns.

ANNLINN KRUGER

Bar Harbor, Me.

To the Editor:

After reading of the really poor vetting that President Trump’s team did of his cabinet choices (“A Reason for Nominees’ Delays: No ‘Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll’ Tests,” news article, Feb. 11), why should I trust them to improve vetting to keep out terrorists?

PEGGY GALE

North Kingstown, R.I.