Jan. 5, 2026 1:08 PM PT
To the editor: President Trump has all the time understood that energy in trendy politics shouldn’t be merely exercised; it’s carried out (“Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela after capturing Maduro in audacious attack,” Jan. 3). His cultivated unpredictability on the world’s stage capabilities much less as coherent overseas coverage and extra as spectacle, a posture that performs on to a section of his base, together with white nationalist supporters who equate dominance with nationwide revival. On this worldview, diplomacy indicators weak spot, restraint invitations exploitation, and volatility itself turns into proof of power.
For these supporters, there’s a visceral thrill in watching the USA act as a geopolitical bully — loud, erratic and feared. The purpose, at the very least politically, shouldn’t be strategic acquire however emotional payoff. Chaos turns into proof that America is now not constrained by guidelines or norms, and that energy has been reclaimed by pressure of will alone.
The prices, nonetheless, are profound. Worldwide stability depends on predictability, belief and alliances that deter battle earlier than it erupts. When the USA embraces belligerent uncertainty, it doesn’t cow adversaries into submission; it galvanizes them. Anti-American sentiment hardens, alliances fray, and extremist teams acquire a robust recruiting narrative constructed round grievance and resistance.
That is the place unpredictability turns harmful. Instability overseas will increase the chance of uneven retaliation, together with terrorism. These assaults then validate the very narrative that produced the instability within the first place: a nation besieged by enemies and justified in escalating pressure. The cycle feeds itself.
We enter a interval the place intimidation replaces management, and spectacle substitutes foresight.
Mark Wyatt, Greenacres, Calif.
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To the editor: Traditionally, American navy motion got here after assist from a coalition of the prepared was obtained. That meant collaboration with and/or endorsement of our allies. That definition has undoubtedly modified to now imply “the coalition of the prepared American sycophants” of Trump: Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Nationwide Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Joint Chiefs of Workers Chairman Dan Caine, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, Deputy Chief of Workers Stephen Miller and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Apparently, not even our elected representatives within the U.S. Congress are included or trusted in discussing, formulating or approving insurance policies of invasion.
Trump’s overseas coverage was known as “America First.” Clearly, what that meant was “America solely.”
What’s left of American and worldwide regulation that this administration gained’t violate with impunity? I suppose solely time will inform.
Joel Pelcyger, Los Angeles
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To the editor: That is paying homage to U.S. forces’ seizure of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989 beneath President George H. W. Bush. Noriega was charged with numerous violations just like these dealing with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and tried and convicted right here, after which tried and convicted in France and Panama as nicely.
We must always let this case play out in our justice system as that one did. Let’s see the outcomes with out partisan interference.
Marcus Kourtjian, Northridge
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To the editor: Little doubt, Maduro has inquiries to reply in his personal nation, however Trump is performing like an more and more reckless and lawless dictator himself. He’s the one who ought to be in jail.
No matter is occurring in Venezuela shouldn’t be our downside to intrude with, particularly with such absurd and likely illegal measures. There are various methods to affect insurance policies in different international locations in need of navy seize of a sovereign nation’s chief. The notion that Trump can “run” Venezuela is outrageous.
Trump claimed for years that it ought to be “America First” and we shouldn’t be concerned in overseas wars. But now, regardless of not having served jail time for his personal felony convictions, he’s going after supposed criminals in different international locations with flimsy rationale, no congressional sanction and brazen use of measures which were extensively criticized as unlawful.
TR Jahns, Hemet
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To the editor: Ignore the pretextual rationales for beginning a conflict. It’s the oil, silly.
Robert Campbell, Palos Verdes Estates
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To the editor: Regardless of what Trump says, the nation and world doesn’t want extra oil, from Venezuela or elsewhere. The planet continues to heat alarmingly from the burning of oil, which experts predict will result in environmental catastrophes compromising our well being, meals provide and property.
The options to burning oil are already in use and have to be expanded, however Trump and his administration’s fixation on burning and making merchandise from oil are main us down the fallacious path.
Matthew Hetz, Los Angeles
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To the editor: What are we doing about this? Are we calling for emergency conferences of all our political teams? Are we asking for city halls to fulfill with our representatives so our communities can share their opinions, and the representatives can current their choices and promise to behave on all of them? Are our grassroots political teams lobbying in individual? Are they writing and calling our representatives, each on behalf of the teams and individually? Are they calling for boycotts? Are there protest marches occurring the place they’ll be most impactful? We have to do one thing.
Gloria Valladolid, Ojai
