To the Editor:
Re “Trump Warned of Jail, Once more, for His Assaults” (entrance web page, Could 7):
I applaud the evenhanded and insightful reporting on the hush cash case in opposition to the previous president, particularly the way it has highlighted the troublesome place the latest contempt of court docket rulings have put the presiding decide, Juan Merchan, in.
The defendant, by his phrases and conduct out and in of court docket, has proven full contempt for the rule of legislation and the authority of Justice Merchan. The decide made clear that he would imprison the defendant, if needed. This, in fact, is strictly what this defendant desires for political functions to bolster his supposed victimization and impress his supporters.
Justice Merchan has proven that he’s an evenhanded, calm and smart decide. Little doubt he’s pondering the ramifications of placing a former president and present candidate for president in jail.
What are his choices? Not many, however there are options to imprisonment, comparable to group service, accumulating roadside refuse or cleansing public services — underneath guard always in fact.
Such service exterior of public view could be completely applicable and wouldn’t play into the political lure the defendant is setting by persevering with to violate the gag order.
Roger W. Lawrence
Worcester, Mass.
The author is a lawyer.
To the Editor:
Donald Trump could have mounted “a direct assault on the rule of legislation,” within the decide’s phrases, however the place are the results past modest fines? And right here I believed that nobody was above the legislation. Silly me.
The justice system is bending itself into pretzels giving Mr. Trump warning after warning after warning in order that he received’t be jailed for repeatedly being held in contempt of court docket.
Gee, can I anticipate that very same remedy if I ever have to look in a New York courtroom? I feel not. If anybody had any doubts a couple of two-tiered justice system, this newest episode ought to eternally put these doubts to relaxation.
I’m a patriot. I like my nation, fought for it in Vietnam, protected it as a police officer for 25 years, served it as a state legislator. However you possibly can rely me as one citizen who’s depressed, disgusted and disillusioned over this sorry state of affairs.
To suppose Donald Trump might win re-election turns my abdomen into knots. Identical to he has executed to the judicial system.
Len DiSesa
Dresher, Pa.
To the Editor:
If Donald Trump continues to deliberately violate the restricted gag order, the presiding decide has a number of choices.
For instance, Justice Juan Merchan can order the defendant to put on an ankle monitor and to serve time underneath home arrest in Trump Tower with out guests apart from rapid household and his safety element. He may very well be barred from leaving with out prior permission besides to attend court docket proceedings.
It will be tougher for Mr. Trump to painting himself as a martyr from his plush Fifth Avenue residence. Home arrest could be a big and applicable penalty. Clearly monetary penalties usually are not working.
Marla L. Allard
Washington
If Trump Is Convicted …
To the Editor:
Donald Trump’s hush cash trial makes for riveting authorized and political theater, however will it matter? Are folks watching and listening to snippets of the proceedings being reported on the nightly information?
To date, the polls usually are not exhibiting Mr. Trump’s help taking a success, as it appears that evidently many individuals usually are not tuned in to the every day authorized goings-on. The million-dollar query is, What is going to the impression be if Mr. Trump is convicted?
Polling suggests that if he’s convicted, a small portion of his supporters will abandon him. This cohort won’t truly solid a vote for President Biden however could nicely withhold their votes from Mr. Trump.
In an election that can possible be determined by only a few thousand votes in a number of swing states, a conviction could nicely put the ultimate nail in Mr. Trump’s political coffin.
Ken Derow
Swarthmore, Pa.
TikTok and China
To the Editor:
Re “U.S. Is Sued by TikTok Over Legislation Forcing Sale” (Enterprise, Could 8):
Forcing TikTok’s proprietor to promote the platform is exactly the right transfer. It has been proven that there are levels of censorship on TikTok (within the U.S., for instance) that favor the Chinese language authorities, and that alone is an efficient sufficient purpose for the divestment invoice.
Certainly, different fastidiously positioned sanctions on China, whose human rights points are well-known, are so as as nicely.
However there isn’t a easy repair, as China is a crucial supply of uncooked supplies in restricted provide elsewhere. And naturally corporations from different nations, together with nations that see China as a political foe, have manufacturing services there.
Paul Clean
Morristown, N.J.
Hypocritical Abortion Exceptions
To the Editor:
Re “MAGA Tries to Dodge Abortion Foes,” by Michelle Goldberg (column, Could 5):
When requested her stance on abortion, Kari Lake, who’s working for the Senate, “echoed Donald Trump on the necessity for exceptions in circumstances of rape and incest,” in line with this column.
I’m firmly pro-choice all the best way. And after I have a look at those that usually are not, these exceptions appear hypocritical.
Is it a child in that womb, as they are saying when arguing in opposition to abortion, or isn’t it? In the event that they imagine abortion is homicide, then what’s the distinction how that fetus was conceived?
I’m positive they wouldn’t make an exception for the homicide of a toddler whose conception was the results of rape, so in the event that they imagine that fetus actually is a child, why permit an abortion?
It’s not about some nebulous “sanctity of life.” It’s about controlling ladies and their our bodies, and nothing else.
Jil McIntosh
Oshawa, Ontario
What We Can Do to Assist Save the Bees
However when discussing native bees, the story isn’t fairly.
The American bumblebee is a candidate for the endangered species record after its numbers dropped by near 90 p.c. The rusty-patched bumblebee is already on the record and has disappeared throughout a lot of its vary. The western bumblebee’s inhabitants has plummeted by greater than 90 p.c.
Bumblebees and different native bees are confronted with diminished habitats, altering climate and a pesticide-laden panorama.
Fortunately, many options may also help all bees. Ten states have restricted bee-killing pesticides, and the Environmental Safety Company ought to do the identical.
Congress’s large infrastructure invoice in 2021 approved a program to fund the planting of pollinator-friendly vegetation alongside American roadsides; now Congress wants to truly pony up the funds. Add in that Individuals throughout the nation are planting pollinator-friendly yards, and there’s purpose for some optimism.
Appearing rapidly on a large scale can save the bees and encourage extra children to bounce round pretending to be a bee, as Ms. Kliff’s did.
Steve Blackledge
Sacramento
The author is the senior director of conservation campaigns for Setting America.
