L.A. MacArthur Park raid

Somewhat recently this paper had a multiday spread regarding the problems of MacArthur Park. Now you paint it as an idyllic oasis for sunbathers and frolicking children. Let’s hope they don’t step in vomit or lay on a needle. This, and every article written about these horrid sweeps begs the question: Who duped these undocumented people into thinking they were safe to be here illegally for upward of 25-plus years? Who winked, and allowed this shadow population to grow so large it will “break the backbone of the L.A. economy if they aren’t here,” per Karen Bass? What was the misguided underlying intention long ago that now they’re enduring this and we have to helplessly watch? Who? Wink wink.

— Lydia Milars, Los Angeles

Newsom’s on the road, heading for 2028

Re “Newsom swings through South Carolina” (July 9):

Glad to see Gavin Newsom has given up on destroying the state of California any further and now has his sights set on other states. A one-man wrecking ball, Newsom has left a prodigious string of failure in his wake: the entire city of San Francisco, the formerly great state of California, and now on to the United Dupes of America.

In this age of artificial intelligence, Newsom just may have the right robotic, game-show host smarminess to hoodwink enough fools into becoming the next POTUS in 2028. God help us all.

— William David Stone, Irvine

Birthright citizenship

Re “Trump’s unconstitutional birthright citizenship order” (July 8):

Not according to constitutional lawyers who know that the provision was written to allow Black people to have their children be citizens since that is what the Dems were against even back then.

It was a one-time thing to help Black individuals become a part of our citizenry and start making their livings as free and legal citizens of our great country. It was never intended to allow people to swoop in from anywhere with a child in the womb and deliver a U.S. citizen.

Not sure where and don’t care where Jacob Sullum got his opinion. Don’t want it. Don’t need it and are you sure he doesn’t work for the AP? All that ink for what?

— Vance Frederick, Long Beach

Trump fights back against transgender girls in sports

Re “DOJ challenges trans sports rule” (July 10):

The U.S. DOJ has filed a lawsuit against the state of California and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over their continuing to allow transgenders in girls athletics. This after the CIF insisted on continuing the 10-year-old California law to allow trans born as men to compete in women’s sports. Do you really want this unfair competition to continue? In typical fashion, Newsom opted out of the dispute since it was a state law already signed. And so, the “anything anti-Trump” goes on.

— Hayden Lening, Claremont

Big Beautiful Bill

The misinformation found in the Independence Day letter July 9 by Ms. Mueller has to be addressed.

While I appreciate and respect her position, it is very misleading and just flat out untrue.

The BBB bill does not cut “billions of dollars to the people of this country with the greatest needs.” It requires a 20-hour weekly work or volunteer caveat for able-bodied adults along with filling out some paperwork twice a year in order to receive Medicaid.

Why should they not be working at least part time for a taxpayer-funded benefit? Can they not fill out some paperwork? Is there to be no accountability in order to receive taxpayer funded welfare?

It does not cut a dime for the people who truly need the benefit. It cuts the waste, fraud and abuse to Medicaid and other publicly funded welfare programs. Who could possibly be against that?

Lastly, the BBB made the current tax rates permanent for all Americans who actually pay federal income tax and allows low- and middle-income folks to not be taxed on their tips or overtime.

How does keeping the current tax rates and not taxing tips and overtime “transfer” wealth to the billionaires?

— Chas Hamann, Yorba Linda