Letters: Trump, Musk make America less safe; McCormick should demand respect for our laws
Trump, Musk make America less safe
Trump administration actions are imperiling our national security.
As a combat veteran, having served in airborne intelligence and special operations, I’ve defended our nation for nearly four decades in the intelligence community and State Department Foreign Service. As former NSA Technical Director of Cyber Analysis, I know firsthand that effective cyber operations require both offensive and defensive strategies.
Russia is the world’s worst cyber actor, having launched the largest and most destructive cyberattacks against the U.S. in history. By ceasing offensive cyber operations against Russia, we’re fighting with one hand tied behind our backs.
Vetting for top-secret access takes roughly 18 months, yet DOGE employees have had unfettered access to government databases for weeks, putting every citizen’s personal data at risk, and raising the prospect of a damaging national security leak. The leak of classified National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) data on the DOGE website is damning and indefensible.
By threatening our allies, we are increasingly seen as an unstable partner, at best, if not a threat — a country whose promises and guarantees hinge on the whims of voters instead of America’s longstanding principles. The fallout is far-reaching and perhaps irreparable.
Trump’s dismantling of USAID has severely hampered our ability to deploy foreign diplomacy. Beyond the worldwide benefits, USAID efforts win hearts and minds, opening the door to countries that became friends, while providing valuable information that informs foreign policy.
Trump and Musk have run roughshod through our government, making all Americans decidedly less safe.
McCormick should demand respect for our laws
Sen. Dave McCormick recently wrote a commentary for The Wall Street Journal comparing wrestling’s values of hard work, courage, resilience and respect to the values of our country. He noted that respect for your opponent is important on both wrestling and politics. I agree, although in politics respect toward those seen as “opponents” is often sorely lacking. I want to add that, in wrestling, respect for the rules and the referees are also critically important to the integrity of the sport. In the same way, respect for our laws and the Constitution and for judges (the referees, if you will) are critically important to the integrity of our democracy. This respect is clearly absent among many in the current administration, including President Trump. I urge Sen. McCormick, a former West Point wrestler, to stand up for our country’s rules and referees (laws and judges) and demand they be respected. Only then will all of wrestling’s values be reflected in America’s democracy.
What kind of nation are we becoming?
Late last month the world saw chilling video of the seizure by masked, dark-clad ICE agents of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student, off the streets of Somerville, Massachusetts. Ms. Ozturk’s co-authorship of an eloquent statement in the campus newspaper denouncing genocide in Gaza is evidently the sole grounds for her terrifying arrest, her shadowy detention, and her imminent deportation.
Here was but the latest instance of the barbaric persecution of guests in our country whose only crime is speaking out against inhumanity. It is reminiscent of the customary disappearing of activists living under totalitarian regimes.
Is that the kind of nation we are becoming?
Animal rights can unite us
On Dec. 10, Science magazine published the article. “Scientists fear big cuts to animal research under Trump 2.0.” It cites administration appointees articulating welfare concerns for animals used in research.
Given this political reality, can universities protect and promote their research infrastructure by taking steps to address these concerns?
No question these are polarized times. If there are 99 issues causing vehement polarization, is it unethical to acknowledge one issue we agree with our politicians and relatives on?
What if universities recognized these concerns by promoting their efforts to advance non-animal research methods? Could universities publicize faculty promotion paths that incentivize research into non-animal alternatives? Perhaps university philanthropy need not strictly adhere to the Greek concept of “love of people,” but expand to encompass animals? Universities may want to showcase their animal experiments. Perhaps they could offer open-house tours to the public and legislators?
Likewise, we can do our part to depolarize society during dinner discussions with relatives who politically disagree with us on all issues, save for animals. Instead of disagreeable discussions, share emails and phone number contacts of university presidents and legislators advocating this proposal.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” The path out of polarizing times may be encouraging humankind to take steps to be kind to animals.