EDITOR:

After approximately fifty (50) days of the Trump Administration there are simply too many concerns to name, let alone to properly deliberate in a letter of this like.

Previous to February 2025 the United States had offered and supported UN resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Russian et. al. troops occupying the same.

Enter President Trump, and now the United States is siding with Russia, Iran, North Korea, China, and other mostly autocratic countries. After 80 years of aligning with the member countries of the European Union, NATO, and other democratic countries including Australia, Japan, and Mexico, the U.S. is now seemingly affiliating with the “Axis of Evil”.

I do not wish to diminish the significance of this UN Resolution, because it is very telling, however the sudden cessation of military equipment and humanitarian aid, and the withholding of intelligence and surveillance capabilities from Ukraine defies civil norms and are sinister actions that would never be inflicted on historic friends and allies, except in Trump-land.

Another indication of Trump’s realignment, and by extension the United States, is the fact that he has imposed higher tariffs on our allies – i.e. Canada and Mexico than our notable adversaries – i.e. China. As nonsensical as that seems from both political and security standpoints, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board had a succinct, and in my opinion the best, comment on the tariffs. WSJ who had earlier stated that the Trump tariffs had launched “the dumbest trade war in history” revisited the subject and now admit “they were being kind”.

The Trump Administration’s effort to dismantle the government seems more driven by the desire to inflict pain and suffering on recipients of a variety of services, and the civil servants who administer and provide those services than the necessity of gaining efficiencies. Everyone, and I mean everyone who resides in the Upper Peninsula will be negatively impacted and, in some cases mortally affected by the cruel cuts.

The destruction of the Department of Education will likely result in a whole array of vital services and programs designed to improve a student’s likelihood of success ranging from the preschooler to the college students having lessened outcomes. Trump has already terminated scholarships to HBCUs. DOE programs literally support and benefit tens of millions of students.

The government has transitioned before and can do so again without the vindictiveness, inefficiency, recklessness, senselessness, and pettiness, that characterizes these illegal actions.

Keep in mind that Congress created these Departments/Programs and it is Congress who is responsible for their oversight. If they have become bloated, inefficient, ineffective, or even corrupt, it is the responsibility of Congress to take “corrective” action, and not this or any other President.

Finally, and perhaps most salient, these unlawful cuts are “required” because the President has promised tax cuts for his billionaire tech bros; and what is being lost to all of us far exceeds the monetary gains of only the richest of us.

Thomas Warstler

Escanaba