Trump’s dismantling of USAID is immoral

Re: “World’s richest man takes on poorest children” (Page A7, Feb. 7).

Nicolas Kristof’s column was front page-worthy.

In 1961, JFK saw that basic nutrition and health care were lacking in much of the world and that we could afford to share. So USAID was created and has made a difference in bringing down childhood malnutrition and birthing deaths, and in suppressing deadly viruses. Yet Elon Musk, who has already made enough money off Donald Trump’s policies to finance most of USAID’s budget, without a second thought, has “put that program in the chipper.” Is it because the greatest needs are in Africa? Make no mistake, people will die.

What Trump is doing to people’s lives here and around the world is immoral and against all that Lady Liberty stands for. He believes and acts like he is above our laws. Trump said ”radical lunatics” are running USAID; I think they are running the White House.

— Sandy Foehr, San Jose

Congress cannot allow end of USAID

Re: “World’s richest man takes on poorest children” (Page A7, Feb. 7).

Nicholas Kristof’s column about the end of U.S. programs that save and educate children around the world makes me feel like I woke up in the wrong country.

Up until just a few weeks ago we, as Americans in 2023 alone, helped save 238,000 newborns who weren’t breathing at birth. We reached 28 million children under 5 with basic nutrition and made sure that 12 million women had safe facilities for childbirth. All these programs and many more are now gone. Even children and their parents who were undergoing treatments for malaria or TB are no longer allowed to be treated, even though their life-saving drugs are just sitting in warehouses.

Is this what we now stand for as Americans? Congress approved and funded these programs, and Congress must take back its constitutional authority and restore them.

— John Tupper, San Jose

If DOGE wants to cut costs, start with Trump

Re: “Courts last hope to stymie Trump?” (Page A1, Feb. 10).

The first target for cost-cutting by DOGE should be Donald Trump.

How much did his attendance at the Super Bowl cost the taxpayer, and how many school lunches could that fund? How much money will be spent on his meaningless name change on the Gulf of America, a name that will only be acknowledged by the United States?

How many afterschool programs are killed to pay for his golfing expeditions at his own clubs for which he charges outrageous rates?

What does taking Panama and Greenland by force have to do with cutting costs? How much will his crazy Gaza plan cost the taxpayer?

To paraphrase Walt Kelly’s “Pogo” cartoon back in 1970, “You have met the enemy, and he is you.” I hate to use his own fear phrase, but he is the enemy within.

— David Wilkins San Jose