Fewer guardrails around Trump puts Americans at risk.

There is a pattern in everything that President-elect Donald Trump does: criticize authority and install those who will tear down government, laws and regulations. Why? Because Trump’s history is that of flouting laws and regulations for his benefit. He cries foul when caught, indicted or convicted: “Poor, abused me.”

His nominated administrators want to tear down the FBI, defund or gut government regulations that protect our citizenry from corporate abuse and deconstruct via fealty and incompetence. The multiple billionaires among his proposed appointees stand to benefit. The loser: the American public that has been duped by sharing their anger.

The president-elect is beginning his second term surrounded by more enablers and fewer guardrails, making the average American more at risk of abuse than ever before. Intimidated Republicans in Congress have abdicated their legislative responsibilities to balance the power of the executive branch. The American public will not comprehend what is happening to them before it is too late.

JOHN W. SHACKLETON JR., ATLANTA

Disabled voters shouldn’t have to worry about getting to polls

Regarding the Oct. 30 AJC article “Advocates for people with disabilities urge Atlanta to invest in sidewalks citywide”:

As someone who grew up in the Atlanta area, I know a genuine infrastructure issue needs to be addressed.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is the federal legal code that shows disability rights are civil rights. Its existence is hope that nothing stops Americans with disabilities from living equal to other citizens. Because we just passed such a critical time for our nation with the election and heightened political climate, these issues are just festering.

Voter suppression has taken new forms and still affects marginalized communities in new ways. It is inexcusable for any American citizen to have unequal access to the right to vote. American citizens should not have to worry about whether or not they can get down a street to vote. A person with a disability is just as much human and as much a citizen as any other.

ELAINA NORTHROP, MARIETTA

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U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff waves to a crowd of supporters during his "Rally For Our Republic" event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, inside the Kehoe Iron Works building at Trustees Garden in Savannah. During his speech, Ossoff said, "What’s happening to our country right now should chill us to the bone." (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock for the AJC

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“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC