To the Editor:
“No One Has Ever Defeated Autocracy From the Sidelines,” by Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way and Daniel Ziblatt (Opinion guest essay, May 11), is alarming — or should be — to all Americans.
As the authors point out in detail, the U.S. is already into competitive authoritarianism because of the Trump administration’s myriad actions. These actions against law firms, universities, the media, political action groups and others are quite simply un-American.
Even a Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, admits to being frightened given the administration’s desire to retaliate against those who disagree with it.
All Americans who recognize this threat must speak up and take action to preserve the country. I believe that this era is more dangerous than those that preceded it, such as the Red Scare and the McCarthy eras, since this assault is being undertaken by the current president.
We cannot stay silent. There is too much at stake.
Marc Chafetz
Washington
The writer is a lawyer.
To the Editor:
The authors of this essay paint a dark picture of what is happening to our country, and they make a compelling case for all of us who oppose President Trump’s agenda to get involved in resistance.
But how to do that? I suggest that a National Resistance Fund be established, and that Americans throughout the country be urged to contribute to it. An organization with credibility for most Americans should set up a clearinghouse to accept donations and use the money to mitigate some of the damage that Mr. Trump is creating.
A carefully selected board of governors should be established to disburse the money that is raised. Some money should go to groups (for example, Harvard University and the law firm Perkins Coie) that are refusing to buckle in response to Mr. Trump’s threats.
Also, money should be allotted to individuals (such as federal employees who have been fired) who are facing severe financial hardships because of their unexpected terminations.
James P. Robinson
Seattle
To the Editor:
Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way and Daniel Ziblatt state that “even Republican politicians are, as one former Trump administration official put it, ‘scared’ out of their minds ‘about death threats.’” This raises serious questions.
Have legislators reported the threats to the Capitol Police or other law enforcement agencies? Have any of the people who made the threats been caught and prosecuted? Are these just individual extremists who worship Donald Trump, or is this an organized campaign to terrorize legislators into backing everything the president does?
The police may not want to compromise their investigations by announcing them publicly, but I wish we could have some assurance that these people will be hunted down and brought to justice — preferably in venues where the president’s pardon power doesn’t reach. If even a handful went to prison, we would see far fewer threats.
Don’t let the thugs win.
Michael Laser
Montclair, N.J.
Shame on the Lawyers
To the Editor:
Re “Some Elite Law Firms Decline to Take Up Immigration Cases” (front page, May 8):
For shame! There are more important things than taking home a large paycheck, some of them being democracy, freedom, the rule of law and due process. American lawyers should know that. They should be brave enough and willing to stand up when they are truly challenged.
Someday their children or grandchildren may have to risk prison, torture and even death, as have so many around the world, to restore us to a free and democratic country.
It is only greed, the desire for money, that can explain the law firms’ behavior, as they (and we) are not threatened — yet — with imprisonment for opposing our government’s behavior. How can the partners in these firms hold their heads high before their families?
Jean Berman
Brooklyn
The writer is a former executive director of the International Senior Lawyers Project and a co-founder of Grandparents Fight Back.
An Atheist Euphoric Over Pope Leo
To the Editor:
Re “Pope Leo, Peru and Me,” by Carlos Lozada (column, May 11):
As an atheist and a humanist, I nevertheless share Mr. Lozada’s respect if not love for Pope Leo XIV. I am euphoric over Pope Leo’s message of inclusion, humanity, decency, kindness and goodness. Peruvian or American is irrelevant to me.
He is the reason that for the first time in days I have felt, yes, thank God, there is an antidote to the depravity that has permeated the zeitgeist here in America for the past four months.
Mike Dater
Portsmouth, N.H.
