Letters to the Editor | June 24, 2025

Once again, the rule of law does not apply to this president in his mind. By issuing a preemptive strike on Iran, he not only ignored the Constitution but violated the U.N. Charter, along with international laws. There was no imminent threat to the U.S. by Iran to warrant this action. Further, the arrogance of the Trump regime to state that this attack is not an act of war on Iran, but just an action to remove the risk of developing a nuclear weapon, is beyond the pale. Columnist Trudy Rubin suggests the president has U.S. security priorities backward, referring to a nuclear-armed Russia posing a vastly greater and more urgent threat to the U.S. homeland than do the ayatollahs. Trump appears to be turning a blind eye to the genocide occurring in Ukraine by a dictator who openly hates the West and was given several deadlines for a ceasefire or face increased U.S. sanctions. Vladimir Putin was again given a pass. Ukraine urgently needs U.S. aid — instead, we are at war with Iran.

Maria Duca, Philadelphia

Here we go with another Middle East War. It’s “shock and awe” all over again. Why is this happening? Donald Trump tells us Iran must never have nuclear weapons. Why might Iran want nuclear weapons? Other than to “drive Israel into the sea,” is it possible Iran wants nuclear weapons precisely because of what is happening to it now — being bombed by Israel and the United States, even while it was negotiating with Trump? Why does Israel want nuclear weapons? For the same reasons. Other than to “bomb Iran into the desert,” it wants to protect itself from Iran bombing it. How might the United States propose another path toward a resolution, one that would show the world the underlying threat of nuclear weapons, whoever has them? We can — if we are bold — guarantee both Israel and Iran protection from attack by a “golden dome” over both countries. Only if they both give up their nuclear weapons will the Middle East find the way to peace … and we find relief from the never-ending wars we have seen there for the past generations.

Father Paul Morrissey, Philadelphia

Let’s contextualize Donald Trump’s decision, made without a congressional vote, to bomb Iran. His poll numbers are dropping, his big, beautiful military parade to celebrate his birthday on June 14 was sparsely attended, opposition to his authoritarian measures is growing (five million people across the country turned out for “No Kings” protest, also on June 14), and communities are rising up to defend immigrants. This is the president’s worst nightmare: losing. His foremost tactic is creating chaos to distract from his losses.

Think of previous U.S. wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Millions were killed, our troops came back from those wars with severe injuries, civilians were slaughtered, and the U.S. failed to achieve regime change. Right now, those veterans are losing care due to the decimation of Veterans Affairs orchestrated by Elon Musk and his DOGE troop. This president is not known for being organized and methodical. In his second term, he has appointed acolytes without a shred of competence. Who benefits? The weapons industry. As professor Stephen Walt states, “Wars are easy to start and hard to end.”

Karel Kilimnik, Philadelphia

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