Trump wants an inner circle of ne’er-do-wells
Forked River, N.J.: So far, Donald Trump’s picks for his new administration look more like a collection of Batman villains. The insanity of a convicted felon choosing those who have been under investigation for all sorts of offenses for the highest offices in this land is mind-boggling.
First, Trump picked Matt Gaetz for attorney general. According to Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Gaetz used to brag to Congress members about snorting Viagra and downing energy drinks so he could go all night with the teenaged girls he trafficked across state lines. Next, as Department of Homeland Security secretary, is infamous killer of dogs as well as assorted farm animals Kristi Noem. If we are ever invaded by puppies and kittens, Noem will dispense all of them with her trusty rifle. A new office of “government efficiency” will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Maybe Musk should concentrate on the efficiency of Tesla cars. You can’t tow them if you break down, and recently, children have nearly died after being trapped inside because the door locks malfunction. As for Ramaswamy, he is nothing more than a huge forehead attached to a very annoying human. If there was ever any question about Hitler sidekick Joseph Goebbels being reincarnated, that is answered in the form of Stephen Miller.
The irony is people voted for Trump thinking he will lower inflation, but economists know that his ideas will have the opposite effect. Trump’s China tariffs will raise prices by at least 20% more on almost everything we buy. The whole world is experiencing far worse inflation, yet 77 million people signed away our country for cheaper eggs. Jim Hughes
It’s not about you
Kew Gardens: President-elect Trump stated that his biggest regret about his first term in office is that he hired too many stupid people. Yet, judging from some of his current choices for cabinet positions, he still thinks loyalty equates with competency. A president should choose the most capable and competent advisors for his cabinet positions not only to serve him but also for the good of this nation. Glenn Hayes
Authoritarian tactics
Briarwood: I have read that due to the increasingly toxic nature of the justice system and the threats made by Trump, President Biden is considering a blanket pardon for all those in his administration and all those in the news media who covered Trump over the last 10 years. I hope this pardon extends to those in the entertainment industry who have targeted Trump to amuse and entertain us. Unfortunately, a pardon will not extend to future Trump-perceived transgressions. With a pardon or not, it will be interesting to see if the news coverage remains tough and the entertainment industry continues to be biting, or will Trump be successful in silencing these people? Mary Elizabeth Ellis
Partisan pardons
Kew Gardens: The subject of preemptive pardons needs to go to the Supreme Court for legal review before it’s allowed to spin out of control with pardoning every Tom, Dick and Harry before they are charged with anything. It was used once by President Gerald Ford to pardon Richard Nixon so the country could ostensibly move forward. Right now, it’s at the doorstep of being used politically to shield people perceived to be targets of a new Republican administration. We need to stop it in its tracks before it crosses the line and makes the euphemistic “Third World country” reference a reality. Phil Serpico
Wrong on all counts
Brookfield, Conn.: To Voicer Richard Cherwitz: Let’s take your letter a piece at a time and maybe we can figure out where you went wrong. First, Biden’s pardon of Hunter is not really a big deal, pretty much everyone expected it. Second, there was a double standard: If Hunter’s last name had been Trump, he’d probably be on death row right now. Third, who ever heard of an unarmed insurrection? Yes, Bill Clinton pardoned Roger, but he never vowed not to (that was the big deal). And finally, as for Biden being “someone who could empathize with Americans and bring back civility,” I guess he proved that when he referred to half of the U.S. population as garbage. Fred Schoeneborn
Out of touch
Brooklyn: Re “Selfish Biden has given us four years of Trump” (column, Dec. 5): S.E. Cupp attributes much of the Trump victory to the selfishness of Biden and his family of close advisors and handlers. Too conveniently, she did not acknowledge the chief roles played by the media (cable, broadcast and written), by Hollywood (influencers, movies and silence) and by Madison Avenue (selective advertising, suppression of facts and ignoring actual reality). The fact that the geniuses of the Democratic leadership (whether Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries or the DNC) convinced themselves and their financial backers that the best strategy was ignoring facts on the ground for the average American worker-taxpayer should not have been omitted as a cause of the Democrats losing the White House and Congress (and possibly the Supreme Court). Elliot Neustadter
Reckless rezoning
Massapequa Park, L.I.: I hope all of you who voted for Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams are proud of your decision to elect them. Hochul offered Adams $1 billion to destroy the city under the ridiculous City of Yes proposal. She tried to get the same high-density housing here on Long Island, however, our politicians actually listen to the people they represent and are fighting back hard against her. Why is there no mention of this quality-of-life destroyer being mentioned for upstate New York? A second thing to consider: If so many people are leaving New York, why are these brainless politicians claiming there is a housing shortage? Thomas Facchiano
Not on him
Astoria: Daniel Penny is a hero for saving those people who were threatened on that train. Jordan Neely’s uncle stated that people should have moved to another train car. Maybe if Neely’s uncle and family looked out for Neely’s drug and mental issues, this wouldn’t have happened. Now they jumped on the “sue” bandwagon when they should have been concerned about Neely’s addictions and mental health. Honest citizens were in fear for their lives by Neely, who was wrong. Wake up, DA. Anthony Gigantiello
Painful to watch
Manhattan: In the wake of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s decision to cover anesthesia for some surgeries on a timeline decided by Anthem, do we now have to worry about waking up screaming in pain in the middle of an operation? “Whoops, your time is up, Mr. or Ms. S. We only cover 60 minutes for this particular surgery. What, your abdomen is still open? Too bad. Anthem decided 60 minutes was adequate time for your surgery.” If I weren’t living in the United States at this particular time in history, I’d never believe what is happening here on every front imaginable. Upon hearing it, I thought the announcement from Anthem was a joke. It’s no joke! There is nothing funny about our country’s turning mean, vicious and totally selfish. This is just another unbelievable development in what is happening to our once beautiful country. Marcia Epstein
Over capacity
Bayside: A new soccer stadium is being built across from Citi Field for the NYC Football Club team. What happens on the weekend when there is soccer, tennis and baseball? Take public transportation instead of driving — LOL! What will be the solution? Michael Sternbach
More bang for their buck
Carle Place, L.I.: Instead of signing Juan Soto at $60 million, how about the Yankees sign three $20 million or four $15 million players who can hit a bit, field and not run the bases like Little Leaguers? Rudy Rosenberg
A love come true
Plainview, L.I.: Now that 28-year-old Josh Allen is engaged to soon to be 28-year-old actress Hailee Steinfeld, who was nominated for an Oscar at age 14 for her role in the 2010 remake of “True Grit,” I want to ask Allen’s parents if they remember taking 14-year-old Josh to that movie, and him telling them on the ride home that he’d just fallen in love and would one day marry that girl. Richard Siegelman
