1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned constituent alarmed by recent actions of the Trump administration that collectively signify a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. The removal of nearly 400 books from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library, including Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Holocaust-related works, under a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is a stark example of this trend. Notably, Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf remains on the shelves, raising serious concerns about the administration’s intentions. This incident is part of a broader pattern: • Disregard for Judicial Authority: The administration has openly defied Supreme Court orders, notably in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador. Despite the Court’s directive to facilitate his return, the administration has failed to act. • Endorsement of Extremist Views: President Trump’s attendance at a UFC event featuring Bryce Mitchell, who has made pro-Hitler and Holocaust-denying statements, raises serious concerns about the normalization of extremist ideologies. • Platforming of Radical Figures: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s invitation to Matt Walsh, a self-described “theocratic fascist,” to the State of the Union address is indicative of the administration’s alignment with radical elements. • Suppression of Academic Freedom: The freezing of $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University due to its refusal to comply with politically motivated demands exemplifies the administration’s attempts to control educational institutions. • Erosion of Civil Liberties: Reports of federal agents detaining individuals without due process, including legal residents and students, are deeply troubling and reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. • Revocation of Legal Status: The administration’s actions to revoke visas and green cards based on individuals’ social media activity threaten the principles of free speech and due process. • Unconstitutional Deportation Proposals: President Trump’s suggestion to deport U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador is not only unconstitutional but also a blatant violation of human rights. These actions collectively represent a significant departure from democratic norms and an alarming move toward authoritarian governance. I urge you to take immediate and decisive action to uphold our Constitution and democratic values. This includes: • Initiating legal challenges against unconstitutional policies. • Pursuing impeachment proceedings where warranted. • Considering the invocation of the 25th Amendment if necessary. • Refusing to comply with directives that undermine democratic institutions. Failure to act in the face of these transgressions will leave the American people with no choice but to seek alternative means to restore and protect our democracy. The time to stand up is now, before irreparable damage is done to the fabric of our nation.