To the Editor:

Last weekend, Trump ignored the economic fiasco he created and instead celebrated with golf and a $million/plate fundraiser. On Sunday he took a break to tell America, “Don’t be weak,” and that we have to take our “medicine” as the markets faced historic sell-offs due to his tariff decisions.

Trump is serially declaring “emergencies” (the El Salvador deportations, the need for immediate tariffs, the destruction of public health and other federal departments, and dismissal of key scientists whom Europe is welcoming, etc.). I fear he’s warming us up for more “emergencies,” and I wouldn’t outright dismiss martial law if the protests grow. The Republican Congress just now is starting to get the picture, but their reputation for speaking truth to Trump is nearly non-existent.

On “Liberation Day,” April 2, Trump invoked “International Emergency Economic Powers Act” and announced tariff impositions of 10% on all nations, beginning April 5, and much more to some nations on April 9, despite no imminent emergency. There is no question that we experience a trade deficit with many countries. But where were the negotiations we would expect with trading partners, unless bullying was the preferred “negotiation”? The sledgehammer fell, and chaos ensued. And that’s the way Trump likes it. “In confusion there is profit.”

When Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, who knows that tariffs are taxes on the importer of foreign goods (TVs, fruits, vegetables, coffee, etc., costs passed on to the customer), made a pathetic plea to the trade world, begging them not to retaliate. “Sit back, take it in, let’s see how it goes. Because if you retaliate, there will be escalation. If you don’t retaliate, this is the high-water mark.” Translated, “the wild boar may let you live if you play dead.” We already know that Trump is chaotically torching our own government with predictable human cost (what other excuse for Elon Musk?). But today, the “top of the world” requires international conquest.

Trump will deal. This was a macho power move, the assault on our economy is mere medicinal collateral damage. He doesn’t care if the market sinks to the detriment of millions of people, or that, for instance, many farmers cannot collect on promised contracts and face bankruptcy. He wants to employ the same shock and awe he forged in the Musk destruction of federal government services. He knows that many countries will come begging for exemption from the draconian tariffs, one at a time, to plead and bend the knee. He lives for it.

I don’t know the long-term results of the tariffs, but the potential for damage to pensions supported by the stock market, 401(k)s, and quality of life, portends misery. I fear that one day, other countries will reject Trump’s bullying and threats against allies, and oppressive imposition of “America First, Last and Always.” Last Monday, the WH proudly revealed plans to celebrate Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day, June 14, with a four-mile military parade, paid for by us. What was that about fraud, waste, and abuse?

Kelly Scoles,

Fillmore, Ca.