To the Editor:
Re “Trump Warned of Jail, Again, for His Attacks” (front page, May 7):
I applaud the evenhanded and insightful reporting on the hush money case against the former president, especially how it has highlighted the difficult position the recent contempt of court rulings have put the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, in.
The defendant, by his words and conduct in and out of court, has shown complete contempt for the rule of law and the authority of Justice Merchan. The judge made clear that he would imprison the defendant, if necessary. This, of course, is exactly what this defendant wants for political purposes to bolster his supposed victimization and galvanize his supporters.
Justice Merchan has shown that he is an evenhanded, calm and wise judge. No doubt he is pondering the ramifications of putting a former president and current candidate for president in prison.
What are his options? Not many, but there are alternatives to imprisonment, such as community service, collecting roadside refuse or cleaning public facilities — under guard at all times of course.
Such service outside of public view would be entirely appropriate and would not play into the political trap the defendant is setting by continuing to violate the gag order.
Roger W. Lawrence
Worcester, Mass.
The writer is a lawyer.
To the Editor:
Donald Trump may have mounted “a direct attack on the rule of law,” in the judge’s words, but where are the consequences beyond modest fines? And here I thought that no one was above the law. Foolish me.
The justice system is bending itself into pretzels giving Mr. Trump warning after warning after warning so that he won’t be jailed for repeatedly being held in contempt of court.
Gee, can I expect that same treatment if I ever have to appear in a New York courtroom? I think not. If anyone had any doubts about a two-tiered justice system, this latest episode should forever put those doubts to rest.
I am a patriot. I love my country, fought for it in Vietnam, protected it as a police officer for 25 years, served it as a state legislator. But you can count me as one citizen who is depressed, disgusted and disillusioned over this sorry state of affairs.
To think Donald Trump could win re-election turns my stomach into knots. Just like he has done to the judicial system.
Len DiSesa
Dresher, Pa.
To the Editor:
If Donald Trump continues to intentionally violate the limited gag order, the presiding judge has several options.
For example, Justice Juan Merchan can order the defendant to wear an ankle monitor and to serve time under house arrest in Trump Tower without visitors other than immediate family and his security detail. He could be barred from leaving without prior permission except to attend court proceedings.
It would be harder for Mr. Trump to portray himself as a martyr from his plush Fifth Avenue home. House arrest would be a significant and appropriate penalty. Obviously financial penalties are not working.
Marla L. Allard
Washington
If Trump Is Convicted …
To the Editor:
Donald Trump’s hush money trial makes for riveting legal and political theater, but will it matter? Are people watching and paying attention to snippets of the proceedings being reported on the nightly news?
So far, the polls are not showing Mr. Trump’s support taking a hit, as it seems that many people are not tuned in to the daily legal goings-on. The million-dollar question is, What will the impact be if Mr. Trump is convicted?
Polling suggests that if he’s convicted, a small portion of his supporters will abandon him. This cohort might not actually cast a vote for President Biden but may well withhold their votes from Mr. Trump.
In an election that will likely be decided by just a few thousand votes in several swing states, a conviction may well put the final 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 Law Forcing Sale” (Business, May 8):
Forcing TikTok’s owner to sell the platform is precisely the correct move. It has been shown that there are degrees of censorship on TikTok (in the U.S., for example) that favor the Chinese government, and that alone is a good enough reason for the divestment bill.
Indeed, other carefully placed sanctions on China, whose human rights issues are well known, are in order as well.
But there is no simple fix, as China is an important source of raw materials in limited supply elsewhere. And of course companies from other countries, including countries that see China as a political foe, have manufacturing facilities there.
Paul Blank
Morristown, N.J.
Hypocritical Abortion Exceptions
To the Editor:
Re “MAGA Tries to Dodge Abortion Foes,” by Michelle Goldberg (column, May 5):
When asked her stance on abortion, Kari Lake, who is running for the Senate, “echoed Donald Trump on the need for exceptions in cases of rape and incest,” according to this column.
I’m firmly pro-choice all the way. And when I look at those who are not, those exceptions seem hypocritical.
Is it a baby in that womb, as they say when arguing against abortion, or isn’t it? If they believe abortion is murder, then what’s the difference how that fetus was conceived?
I’m sure they wouldn’t make an exception for the murder of a toddler whose conception was the result of rape, so if they believe that fetus truly is a baby, why allow an abortion?
It’s not about some nebulous “sanctity of life.” It’s about controlling women and their bodies, and nothing else.
Jil McIntosh
Oshawa, Ontario
What We Can Do to Help Save the Bees
But when discussing native bees, the story isn’t pretty.
The American bumblebee is a candidate for the endangered species list after its numbers dropped by close to 90 percent. The rusty-patched bumblebee is already on the list and has disappeared across much of its range. The western bumblebee’s population has plummeted by more than 90 percent.
Bumblebees and other native bees are faced with diminished habitats, changing weather and a pesticide-laden landscape.
Thankfully, many solutions can help all bees. Ten states have restricted bee-killing pesticides, and the Environmental Protection Agency should do the same.
Congress’s big infrastructure bill in 2021 authorized a program to fund the planting of pollinator-friendly vegetation along American roadsides; now Congress needs to actually pony up the funds. Add in that Americans across the country are planting pollinator-friendly yards, and there’s reason for some optimism.
Acting quickly on a wide scale can save the bees and inspire more youngsters to dance around pretending to be a bee, as Ms. Kliff’s did.
Steve Blackledge
Sacramento
The writer is the senior director of conservation campaigns for Environment America.