What happened to Trump's declaration of a 'new golden age'?

What happened to a ‘new golden age’?

Today, basic groceries remain expensive, the price of gasoline has risen locally, and a war still rages in Ukraine [“White House reverses halt on federal aid,” News, Jan. 30]. These are all issues Donald Trump promised voters that he would resolve in his first day in office.

Meanwhile, we have immigration officers threatening to enter schools, churches and hospitals; inappropriate dismissals of federal inspectors general; retribution against Justice Department attorneys and staff; and an unconstitutional executive order to end birthright citizenship. Trump said that he’d lead us into a “new golden age.” Instead, he’s leading us into a disturbing age of chaos.

— Martin Skrocki, Wading River

So nice to know that my offshore view will not be spoiled by turbines. I can now look forward to seeing oil rigs off the coast.

— Kenneth LeMay, Massapequa Park

After the dizzying array of executive orders that President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office and his continued actions, all I can say is, “Thank God ‘Sanity Restoration Day’ has finally arrived!” How we survived the past four years shows the true grit of the American people.

Finally, we’re back to recognizing two genders — male and female. Trump withdrew us from the Paris climate agreement. He ended diversity, equity and inclusion programs and ended the government’s weaponization against political opponents, just to name a few.

Perhaps the most urgent orders had to do with the southern border. Trump declared it a national emergency and ordered the completion of the wall, is trying to end birthright citizenship, designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and shut down ways that former President Joe Biden’s administration designed to make it easier to enter the country.

Jan. 20, 2025 will go down in history as the transformational day that saved our country from ruin and completed the greatest comeback in U.S. political history. Trump has already made himself perhaps the most consequential president in American history.

— Eugene R. Dunn, Medford

Ramesh Ponnuru outlines a hopeful view of the future, but “if we are lucky” does not sound too confident to me [“Could the next four years bring real blessings?”, Opinion, Jan. 28]. His rosy predictions of Donald Trump showing restraint and judgment are not grounded in reality.

Ponnuru hopes Trump would reduce illegal immigration, negotiate a reformed immigration policy, promote a stronger European alliance, create a trade policy that distinguishes between allies and enemies, and provide tax credit for families. But the reality seems to be the opposite.

Trump has sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement teams into schools and rounded up people without due process. He threatens allies Canada and Mexico with high tariffs. A bit more than a week into his second term, he is already breaking promises and getting unqualified Cabinet secretary nominees confirmed.

Trump’s chaotic actions so far do nothing to help middle- and working-class Americans.

— Gerry Ring, Old Bethpage

Within hours of taking the oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution, Donald Trump violated that oath with an executive order trying to rescind a section of the 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. That was ratified after the Civil War in 1868, and Trump has attempted to eliminate it — unconstitutionally — by a stroke of his poison pen.

— Jack Bilello, Massapequa Park

Donald Trump’s unconstitutional racist immigration rhetoric to eliminate birthright citizenship for babies of noncitizens and unauthorized immigrants born in the United States is an unjust tactic that disregards civil rights and human rights.

— The Rev. Arthur L. Mackey Jr., Roosevelt

Sadly, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. awaits confirmation as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, I suspect he will eviscerate the 13 divisions and other organizations he would oversee “Kennedy stumbles through Senate grilling,” Nation, Jan. 30].

To not understand the differences between Medicaid and Medicare is inexcusable. As a nonpartisan voter, I agree with Sen. Ron Wyden, who found Kennedy’s “presentation to be both untrustworthy and unprepared.”

To vax or not to vax should never be a political decision but one made between a patient and provider. Leave politics to politicians, and medicine to physicians and other credentialed providers.

— Dr. Joel Reiter, Woodbury

How ignorant and disgraceful to ban transgender service members from serving our country [“Trans service members challenge prez’s ban,” Nation, Jan. 29]. Any persons brave and dedicated enough to devote their lives to such service should be honored, not dismissed.

— Diane McGuire, Northport

All federal employees will be subjected to “enhanced standards of suitability and conduct” “Federal workers offered buyouts,” Nation & World, Jan. 29]. It sure sounds like a Donald Trump loyalty test to me.

— Paul Jacobs, Huntington