1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Following my previous letter regarding President Trump’s reckless actions on February 11, 2025, I am writing again to express deep concern over three additional alarming developments on February 12. These latest moves further threaten democracy, global stability, and the free press. 1. Secretive Ukraine Peace Talks with Russia President Trump unilaterally announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine—without Ukraine or its European allies at the table. By bypassing the democratically elected Ukrainian government, Trump is undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and emboldening Russian aggression. This betrayal of our allies weakens America’s credibility and strengthens authoritarian influence on the global stage. The U.S. must not allow Ukraine’s future to be dictated by Putin’s terms. 2. Corporate Influence and Social Media Settlements Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump after his ban from the platform following the January 6 Capitol attack. This follows a $25 million settlement from Meta. These settlements raise serious concerns about corporate influence over public officials—particularly a former and current president. The implications of these payouts could encourage undue political favoritism in exchange for financial or regulatory benefits. Congress must act to ensure transparency and prevent companies from using settlements as a means of currying political favor. 3. Attack on Press Freedom The Trump administration barred journalists from the Associated Press (AP) from covering White House events because they refused to comply with an absurd directive to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” This is not only a blatant attack on press freedom but a chilling indication of authoritarian tendencies. A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democracy, and any attempt to control or punish media outlets for factual reporting is unacceptable. Congress must take immediate action to protect journalistic integrity and ensure the White House does not engage in censorship or retaliation against the press. Each of these actions builds on the dangerous precedent set the day before, reinforcing a pattern of authoritarianism, corporate favoritism, and diplomatic recklessness. I urge you to take a stand—demand accountability, push back against these dangerous policies, and reaffirm America’s commitment to democracy, both at home and abroad. Thank you for your time and service. I look forward to your response.