4/19/2025

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

            What is the role of schooling in a thriving democracy in the USA in 2025? That’s the question that my undergraduates are pondering. Since several of them are Chinese nationals, they first have to wrap their heads around what a democracy is. Some of the US citizens think it’s just about voting. I suspect you would emphasize freedom, especially religious freedom.

            I appreciate your attention to that matter and encourage you to expand the religions that you consider worthy of protection. Christians in the USA aren’t nearly as persecuted as the Rohingya Muslims in Burma or the Falun Gong in China, so as you express your concerns that everyone should have the freedom to worship in any way they please, please be catholic in your views.

            I noticed that you invited Patty Morin, mother of Rachel, who was murdered by an undocumented man from El Salvador, to the WH. I worry that she may be suffering from displaced anger at the loss of her daughter. Of course, she should be outraged at Victor Martinez-Hernandez’s brutal attack on Rachel, but Sen. Chris Van Hollen had nothing to do with it, nor did Abrego Garcia (KAAG). So, when Patty expressed indignation about the Senator going to El Salvador to appeal for KAAG’s release, it felt to me that her grief had made her so distraught that she couldn’t think straight.

I hate to think that your administration is engaging in scapegoating immigrants in an effort to stoke fear. That’s what authoritarian leaders do. Please tell the Steves, or whoever had the idea to invite Patty Morin to the WH, that it was not a good look & not to do it again.

Better to bring more folks like MLKJ’s niece, Dr. Alveda King, who visited you for your Easter celebration on Wed. I appreciate her emphasis that "When we truly believe in the sacredness of human personality, we won't exploit people. We won’t trample over people with the iron feet of oppression. We won’t kill anybody."

Please amplify that as well as Jesus’ other messages about loving your enemies and forgiving your debtors.

BYBS,