This court can’t be trusted with a basic right Stamford, Conn.: I am ordinarily a fan of your editorial policy and typically agree with your opinions, but your editorial “The Constitution outranks all” (Jan. 21) is shockingly naïve and pollyannaish in the context of our current political climate. The Supreme Court of the United States, the ultimate arbiter of constitutional interpretation, has already established over the past few years that legal precedent can be arbitrarily reversed. The court has frequently mangled constitutional doctrine to force-fit it into its malignant political agenda. The reversal of Roe v. Wade and the pronouncement of unlimited presidential immunity are just two of many examples where the court reversed established law and fundamental precepts. The interpretation of the 14th Amendment is no exception. Notwithstanding its plain language and established precedent under United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, there is no doubt that the justices can easily find a different interpretation of established law should they decide that it comports with their warped political narrative. The grant of citizenship if born in the U.S. seems like clear and unambiguous law. But if this issue comes before the Supreme Court, it is probable that a majority of justices will slavishly adhere to President Trump’s whimsy and find some ludicrous excuse to abolish that right. The Constitution should outrank all, but recent history shows that the court is ruled by an intellectually dishonest majority. We can no longer depend on that body to protect us from the vile agenda of the current chief executive and his handpicked collection of devious misfits. Peter Janoff Read up on it Brewster, N.Y.: Note to the new president: Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment. You can’t eliminate it by executive order. Try reading the document that you swore to preserve, protect and defend. Larry Maslak Oath-breaker Hampton Bays, L.I.: Trump took an oath Monday to protect and defend the Constitution. Is there any reason we should believe he will honor it this time? Gene Kelly Sinister salute Whiting, N.J.: How exactly are we supposed to interpret Elon Musk’s “salute” at the big fascist rally — uh, I mean inauguration ceremony — on Monday? We all know what he is and what Trump is. So loosen up those right arms and start practicing in the mirror, America. The Trump Reich is in the house. Bill McConnell Off-script and off-color Austin, Texas: Following his inaugural address, Trump delivered informal remarks to a crowd of his supporters gathered at the Capitol, many of whom did not attend the inauguration ceremony. What he said was totally unscripted and unusually long — longer, in fact, than the inaugural speech. Moreover, Trump droned on and on. One must wonder if he sounded like someone who just took the oath of office for the presidency. As a communication scholar who studied presidential discourse, it came across to me more like an incoherent recitation of grievances and lies, much like Trump did repeatedly at campaign rallies. Regardless of whether one supports Trump, his remarks were a rhetorical oddity. As has been the case since he first came on the scene, there are no longer rules and accepted standards of decorum and civility. Richard Cherwitz Venerated name East Orange, N.J.: The suggestion to “Rename MLK Day to be National Civil Rights Day” (op-ed, Jan. 20) is an abomination proposed by someone who can’t understand what it means to be a Black man in the United States. To separate the commemoration of a struggle, which continues to this day, from the man who was so much a part of it and whose name is synonymous with it harkens to the time of slavery, when African-Americans were stripped of their given names and identities. Why not have a National Civil Rights Day and a Martin Luther King Day, because the struggle is not finished and the dream remains unrealized? Keep our eyes on the prize; roll on. Ellen Moxley A lawless lot Brooklyn: So, Trump did what he does best by pardoning all the criminals who stormed the Capitol and who violently assaulted police officers while desecrating the building and hunting for political leaders to hurt or murder. Is anyone surprised that the man now occupying the White House, who doesn’t believe in elections or court cases he legitimately lost, would not pardon those doing his bidding? How fitting it is for a felon president to pardon his felon supporters. BTW, this whole pardon thing is totally out of control on both sides. The pardon power for a government executive should only be extended to commute death sentences and nothing else. Irwin Cantos Unconfirmable Wellsburg, W.Va.: If you are a business owner and you would hire a wife-beating, drunk, misogynistic sexual abuser who then pays to silence his victim through a non-disclosure agreement, please let us know your rationale. If you feel this is unwise, against our moral fiber and contrary to the safety of the U.S.A., please call your senators and tell them you object to their vote to confirm a man you would not have work in any position of authority, even a dog catcher, and especially not secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense. If our senators feel that urge to submit, tell them we will consider them unfit to serve us, and we will follow their actions and decisions closely until the next election. It is a time in history to personally contact our representatives and let them know our feelings and expectations. Diana Kim Gagich Regrouping Stratford, Conn.: Thirty percent of the people in the U.S. of A. still think the Biden administration’s four years were a success. And they are the 30% who think the Hamas ceasefire is real. Hamas ceasefire — look it up in the dictionary, it means “Hamas resupply.” Peter Sulzicki Legalized life-taking Oak Park, Mich.: It’s concerning that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Luigi Mangione. While Brian Thompson was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the company illegally overcharged cancer patients for medications by 5,000%, according to an FTC report. Neo-Nazi, racially motivated mass murderer Dylan Roof killed nine Americans in a church and was not charged with terrorism. Mangione killed one CEO to stand up to injustice and is charged with terrorism. The Lancet reports that the U.S. health care system causes 68,000 preventable deaths a year. American citizens spend twice as much on health care than other countries for worse care, according to The Commonwealth Fund. Why didn’t the prosecutor charge Thompson and other health insurance CEOs for murder? Wealthy CEOs are a protected class while the poor, working class is not. William McMullin Kinder wings Manhattan: As Super Bowl Sunday nears, it’s worth considering the staggering number of chickens sacrificed for a single day of indulgence — an estimated 375 million, just for wings. This annual tradition, though beloved by many, comes at a great cost to animals, the planet and even our health. Fortunately, there’s a kinder and equally satisfying alternative: plant-based wings. Made from ingredients like tofu, seitan, potatoes or even cauliflower, these options pack all the flavor without harm to animals. Brands like Blackbird, Gardein and Daring offer ready-to-enjoy wings, while homemade cauliflower “wing” recipes are easy, delicious and crowd-pleasing. This year, why not make your Super Bowl spread one of compassion and sustainability? By swapping traditional chicken wings for plant-based alternatives, you’ll score a win for animals and the environment while enjoying a healthier take on a game-day favorite. Nelson Yancy Drug problems Roseland, N.J.: Millions of Americans are able to legally get their expensive drugs (same manufacturers) from Canadian pharmacies at a third of the cost. This is the only way we can afford them, and we are dependent on these drugs to survive! When a tariff on all goods goes through, these drugs will become as price-prohibitive as they are from our American pharmacies and be totally unaffordable, especially for seniors (some at $500)! We need the government to consider our needs when instituting this tariff and exempt imported drugs from other countries. Arlene Dolce