Trump said he had the best first 100 days of any president. Really? | Opinion

Donald Trump claimed that he had the best first 100 days of any president. Here’s a partial list of what has occurred:

The stock and bond markets tanked due to a chaotic tariff policy. Consumer confidence declined every month. Corporations that donated to Trump’s inauguration had federal investigations withdrawn. Decades of global leadership evaporated into widespread anti-American sentiment. The Trump administration defied court orders and took steps to violate federal law. Scientists working on containing bird flu and finding disease cures were fired. The free press, universities and judges were threatened. Top-ranking women in the military were systematically fired.

On the plus side, he’s no longer talking about immigrants eating cats and dogs.

Arnie Grieves, Huntersville

Terrific Trump

Let’s talk about the terrific things President Donald Trump is doing.

Joe Biden couldn’t shut our border in four years, but in four months, Trump all but stopped illegal immigration. Universities are under investigation for alleged antisemitism. Immigration police implemented daily arrest targets. A tax and spending package is getting closer to the finish line. He is shrinking and revamping the IRS and DEI. Climate change and sanctuary cities are being worked on. On tariffs, if they charge us, why can’t we charge them?

Cleaning out the swamp in Washington is a monumental job. Nobody in the Republican party can do this except Trump, and that is why so many of us voted for him. The GOP is getting things done while Democrats are clapping and singing on the Capitol steps.

Jim Cherry, Charlotte

Maestro

The board of directors of Opera Carolina fired Maestro James Meena, whose magnificent tenure as director, artistic director and principal conductor was a gift to Charlotte.

I treasured the tenure of Maestro Meena, whose knowledge and connections in the opera world allowed him to bring internationally-renown singers and operas like Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West,” Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” and Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” French operas like “Samson et Dalila,” “The Pearl Fisher” and “Carmen,” as well as contemporary operas composed by Americans and more.

The legacy of Maestro Meena is enormous. He was an innovator who was not afraid of sharing new repertoire. Under Maestro Meena, Opera Carolina became the most important opera company in the Southeast.

Marita Lentz, Charlotte

Teachers

As a retired public school educator, who spent 41 years in the classroom, I am appalled and saddened at what the state legislature is considering in House Bills 573, 806, and 878.

To drop the license requirements for teachers degrades teaching as the profession it has been for hundreds of years. Requiring teachers to basically write a full syllabus for every lesson, in advance of the lesson, for all to see, is the most unreasonable of all the components of these bills. I question its legality if others will then pirate excellent lessons plans as their own. There is also a proposal to allow people to carry their concealed handguns on private school property.

I find these kinds of proposals hypocritical for the small-government conservative think tanks pushing this kind of agenda.

Doug Bennett, Charlotte

Caring act

Caring for loved ones with dementia places heavy financial and emotional burdens on families. In 2024, 373,000 N.C. caregivers provided 723 million hours of unpaid care, valued at nearly $11 billion. Families shoulder a staggering 70% of dementia care costs. As someone whose mother has sacrificed to care for my grandmother with Alzheimer’s, I know this burden firsthand. Representative Mark Harris has the opportunity to help.

The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act (H.R. 2036 / S. 925) would create a non-refundable $5,000 federal tax credit for eligible family caregivers. Millions of Americans make heroic sacrifices for their loved ones; financial ruin should not be their reward. Urge Rep. Harris to support Credit for Caring — because love is priceless, but caregiving shouldn’t bankrupt you.

Jake Sellers, Charlotte

Mayberry

A bill in the General Assembly would make “The Andy Griffith Show” the official TV show of North Carolina. Perhaps legislators should watch the program and heed the lessons of Mayberry. Be kind, care for the less fortunate, stand up to bullies, stay true to your ethics, conmen can come to town wearing suits and Sheriff Taylor’s wisdom to know guns are not the answer.

Patrice McGrath, Charlotte