Trump forgives the sin if the sinner helps him
Whitestone: We now have credible evidence that President Trump is not sincerely opposed to drug dealing or pedophilia. He pardoned the ex-president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted for his role in trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States while destroying his own nation in every possible way.
Hernandez said he wanted to stuff drugs up the noses of gringos. When Trump was asked why he pardoned Hernandez, Trump said that Honduras requested the pardon. This is not true, and Hernandez faces criminal charges if he returns to Honduras.
By contrast, Trump orders the killing of Venezuelan boat crews, permits the murder of two survivors of a boat strike and threatens to invade Venezuela because he claims without evidence that drugs, including fentanyl, are coming to the U.S. from Venezuela.
Trump is reportedly considering pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of child sex trafficking in the sexual molestation of underage girls, channeling them to be abused by Jeffrey Epstein over many years. Trump’s motive in this case seems to be to keep Maxwell silent about Trump’s close connection to Epstein over years of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s horrific sex crimes on minors.
Trump’s message in pardoning the worst convicted criminals seems to be twofold: What can this or that criminal do for me, and his revenge presidency — “I’m the president, I can do whatever I want to do and no one can stop me.” Michael J. Gorman
Bad math
Staten Island: To Voicer Richard Siegelman: Regarding the mathematically impossible percents of slashed drug prices the president continues to spout, I think I know why he is confused. The Trump Organization in 2025 is reporting a 1,600% “increase” in profits during the first half of 2025, so he must think it could happen in reverse — actually, that’s worse than a third-grader! Gina Ottrando
Fix things first
Tamarac, Fla.: There is too much hunger in our world today! There is too much antisemitism, racism, poverty, homelessness, incurable diseases, political instability and gun violence everywhere. Perhaps if we gave less public attention to the Epstein files, were less fixated on blaming the president for everything, and tried stabilizing the attitude of our political parties, we might make better headway in fixing those aforementioned problems first. A little re-prioritizing wouldn’t hurt this country at all! Roberta Chaleff
Security above all
Manhattan: Democrats, wake up and stay alert to the reason that comrade Trump is in the Oval Office. They refused to vet the influx of immigrants. Joe Biden was brainwashed into believing that the vetting process was an extension of racism. Absurd. How many foxes would AOC allow into her chicken coop? This is the singular reason that Trump won an election by 2 million votes. Trump is washed up and we should not repeat history’s mistake. Common sense will prevail. Allow as many good immigrants as you can count, but cage the fox. Michael Malewich
Enough is enough
Brooklyn: For the record, I voted for Trump twice. He’s had his two terms, so enough. He’s not the best president but he is a good one. That being said, there is no reason for his name to be on the Kennedy Center. He’s got his name on enough buildings in New York. The Kennedy Center is meant to honor John F. Kennedy! John M. Corbett
Honored in death
Forest Hills: Hey, Donald, the Kennedy Center was named in 1964, the year after JFK’s death. So if you want your name pasted onto the building, feel free to start that clock at any time. Alan Hirschberg
Offshore eyesore
Massapequa, L.I.: On Dec. 22, the Grinch (Trump) stole thousands of good union jobs when he put a stop on the wind energy projects off Long Island. He doesn’t like ugly windmills because they will ruin your view. Who lives 15 miles offshore? He prefers oil drilling platforms that you can see from shore. Please install an oil drilling platform off Palm Beach, Fla. I don’t wish an oil spill, land or sea, on anyone, but I might make an exception off Palm Beach. Ron Boehning
Your choice
Kew Gardens Hills: To Voicer Louie Scarcella: If, as you claim, the Nordic countries are the “happiest countries in the world and the safest,” why do you live in Brooklyn? Barry Koppel
Ride safely
Rockaway Park: I was distressed to read about a man killed in an accident in Marine Park while riding a motorized scooter. It’s tragic, and while I don’t know the circumstances of the accident, I know that this has almost happened to me on several occasions. I live on a block that has a four-way stop sign. Young people riding up to the sign frequently blow right through it. It has happened right after I’ve stopped and started to go as they were still a few yards away from me. I’m forced to a sudden stop while they continue through it and yell at me that they’re on a bike and don’t need to obey the signs. To be clear, the bikes are motorized vehicles. I believe cyclists are subject to street signs and lights. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt because they don’t know the law. John Donohue
Stop folding
Manhattan: I’m a Jewish supporter of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. It’s clear that Jews who define their Judaism through blind support of Israel are out to get him. They will not stop until he stands up to them. I was very disappointed when he accepted the resignation of Cat Da Costa for dumb teenage tweets about Jews and money. She’s now an adult, married to a Jewish man and has Jewish children. People are allowed to make mistakes and evolve. Those who don’t provide that grace embrace cancel culture. By not standing up for her, the mayor-elect opens up what will be a deluge of alleged antisemitic accusations against the new administration. He must stand up to this bullying behavior. Failure to do so will encourage this drip of accusations. The ADL and others of their ilk are increasing antisemitism by doing this. Their actions are a shonda for the goyim. R. Levin
Missed reveler
Jersey City: It’s hard to imagine New Year’s Eve without Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. For generations of New Yorkers, Lombardo wasn’t just a bandleader, he was Mr. New Year’s Eve. Long before confetti cannons and celebrity hosts took over Times Square, Lombardo ushered in the new year with a gentle swing and a familiar promise: “Auld Lang Syne.” From 1929 to 1976 — nearly half a century — Lombardo welcomed the new year into our living rooms, year after year, war after war, boom after boom. His version of “Auld Lang Syne” didn’t just mark midnight, it marked continuity, memory and shared experience in a city that never stops changing. The clock still strikes 12 and the ball still drops, but the warmth is gone. Lombardo is sorely missed — and so is the New Year’s Eve he gave to those of us in the New York metropolitan area. Jacques DuBois
Upping the love
Swarthmore, Pa.: I’m making only one New Year’s resolution as we enter 2026. I want to prioritize love. I want more love in my life, and I want to give more of my love to others. By others I mean my immediate and extended family, but also my friends, my acquaintances, people I casually interact with on my daily walks, and even those I don’t personally know who I interact with via social media. Not physical love, but love that appreciates them for who they are and treats them with the dignity and respect every human being deserves. I want to accept them as they are, not as I expect or want them to be. A great song beautifully states: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love / It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of / Not just for some but for everyone.” Ken Derow
Spell it out
Flushing: When you use initials, let us know what they stand for, please. Don’t make us Google it. You’re a newspaper. Bernard Caine
