What We Believed About America

New York Times

11-04-2025

To the Editor:
Re 'The Destruction of the American Ideal,' by Bret Stephens (column, April 9):
What is so remarkable about Mr. Stephens's column is that it describes everything I was raised to believe about America — beliefs so widely shared that they were unremarkable . Everyone I knew believed that we were in this together; there was no us versus them. In the America I knew we believed that we truly were exceptional and that our immigrant population was a huge component of our ability to succeed.
For many of us, the realization that people in power, regardless of political party, would belittle, name call and seek retribution has been a shock. There is nothing about this perversion that represents 'real' Americans — only a profound sense of shame that we have come to this.
Carol Burton
Anacortes, Wash.
To the Editor:
Bret Stephens notes that he has 'bent over backward' to give President Trump the 'benefit of the doubt.' But giving Mr. Trump the benefit of the doubt is how we got into this sickening mess.
Mr. Trump has been telling us for years exactly who he is and what he wants to do — including deporting vast swaths of the population with no due process. Many millions of Americans voted for him multiple times because they think that is a good idea, too. Or at least they were willing to look past a horrifying idea because they support Mr. Trump for other reasons. In other words, they gave him the benefit of the doubt.
It's happening now as Mr. Trump promised it would. None of this should surprise us. The fact that Mr. Stephens is surprised by the chilling case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia — who was arrested, deported and sent without due process to a Salvadoran prison — is the only thing that surprises me.
Kate Aufses
New York
To the Editor:
When Republicans complain of American culture in decline, they often extol the moral virtues of our nation's Judeo-Christian tradition. Republicans expound on brilliance of the United States Constitution, our Republic and our nation's founders. They honor those who bravely serve our nation, both in the military abroad and in law enforcement at home. They proclaim that they believe in patriotism, duty and faith. Yet they unflinchingly support a man who lacks decency and honor.
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