Ukraine peace talks

Re “Trump, Zelensky trade verbal blows as relations sour” (Feb. 20):

I would be surprised if my letter were published since this newspaper admires Trump so much. I wonder if this president has ever had a nice comment for anyone, other than Elon Musk and all his totally inexperienced “yes” men who surround him. Now, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become a “dictator.”

Wow, does Trump ever look in the mirror to see a true dictator? When Elon Musk gave his “heil Hitler” greeting recently one should have known where we are going.

The U.S. now has our own Adolf. We shall all tremble in our boots.

— Christine Peterson, Woodland Hills

Trump and Putin’s plan and the fate of Ukraine

So two perpetual liars are deciding the fate of Ukraine. There is one difference between Trump and Putin and President Zelenskyy — Zelenskyy puts the people first in defending his country and Trump and Putin put themselves first.

Here is my prediction, and I am very rarely wrong. Trump will declare war at the end of his term against one of the many countries he has disparaged so that he can prevent an election and stay in office indefinitely.

— Shirley Conley, Gardena

DOGE

I am so disappointed in the Feb. 18 letter responses of those in favor of DOGE and the criminal POTUS who has given Musk wide latitude. Did Jan. 6, 2021, mean nothing to you? I would guess 100% of Trump supporters would be having an absolute fit had President Obama sent a mob to the Capitol and then escaped justice. Your hypocrisy is astounding.

— Mike Aguilar, Costa Mesa

Trump’s disciples

It seems like your letters column has been filled with submissions by Trump disciples in the past month. Perhaps that’s because they are the only ones writing, while those who disagree with Trump’s actions are simply worn out.

However, I’m waiting to see how Trump worshipers will justify his latest statement that Ukraine started the war, which indisputably began with invasions by Russia in 2014 and 2022.

I don’t know whether Trump is simply an unconscionable liar, willing to repeat Putin’s lies for some perceived advantage or just incompetent. I don’t know which is worse. But anyone who read George Orwell’s “1984” will recognize the pattern.

— Bob Horvath, Long Beach

Trump/Musk

Every day brings a new executive order or command from the president.

From luxury hotels in Gaza to wiping out all traces of the dreaded DEI from every corner of America, to name changing the Gulf of Mexico, he has been very busy! He is so busy, he has handed off the task of dismantling the federal government to his henchman, Elon Musk, who, along with his unelected and unvetted 20-year-old minions, who are burning the place down.

And meanwhile in Congress, the Republicans are vying to see who can propose the most embarrassing piece of legislation. From making Trump’s birthday a national holiday to putting his face on Mt. Rushmore, or a $500 bill, to allowing him to run for a third term, the groveling is never ending.

It would be really funny, if it wasn’t so tragic.

— Janet Cerswell, Alta Loma

The DOGE bait

After reading countless articles about DOGE, I have serious concerns about the way Musk and his team are going about their tasks.

Everyone would likely agree there’s a need to increase efficiency and reduce government waste. However, this DOGE exercise is a ruse to convince the public that a meaningful review of government operations is taking place.

The public shouldn’t take the bait! A cursory review of government computer systems will only identify areas that need further investigation.

However, those investigations are not being done, yet arbitrary layoffs are being carried out without regard to functions being performed by those employees. This is nothing more than fancy cover up for a hatchet job!

— Bob Kurz, Laguna Niguel