Trump and Musk are decimating NC. Senators Budd and Tillis are doing nothing | Opinion
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk (a government appointee who may not have passed a background check or divested of his business interests) have recently decimated government departments funded by taxpayers. In the Triangle, universities, businesses and taxpayers rely on the federal grants and support provided by programs such as the NIH, NSF, and FDA, specifically N.C. State’s outstanding extension program.
As of writing, Sens. Budd and Tillis seem unconcerned about this major impact on their constituents. Their dereliction of duty needs a major spotlight shined on it. I urge taxpayers of our lovely area to visit and contact the offices of our two senators and urge them to put a stop to this reckless withholding and waste of taxpayer dollars.
Wayne Stiles, Raleigh
Tariffs
The writer is a N.C. State professor of economics
Tariffs by the U.S. government are harmful to Americans and exporting countries. Economists have described them as analogous to destroying ships, planes, trucks and other forms of transportation that carry goods from exporting countries to the U.S. They are accurately evaluated as lose-lose policies that will make both countries poorer again.
Thomas Grennes, Raleigh
No gun permit?
In view of the proliferation of guns and gun violence, I am gobsmacked by the efforts in our General Assembly to allow people to carry handguns without permits. Instead of strengthening gun regulations, they are being weakened.
Where is the common sense? Permit requirements include background checks, firearm training and gun law education, which help ensure individuals carrying weapons are responsible and knowledgeable. Removing these safeguards could increase the likelihood of firearms being carried by individuals who are not adequately trained or who have a violent history, thereby posing a greater risk to law enforcement and the public.
I urge our legislators to use common sense, and understand that the Second Amendment protects gun ownership and supports reasonable regulations that ensure safety.
Susan Lombardo, Chapel Hill
USAID
USAID’s mission of human rights, development and democratization has changed lives. The U.S. is safer and stronger for it. Tragically, Elon Musk finds it politically expedient to discard this lifesaving work. Though this multibillionaire isn’t an elected official nor holds any accountability to Congress, he has unleashed his minions to destroy decades of work and research.
USAID saves lives, uses just 1% of our budget and preserves peace, democracy and security. There are legal ways for an administration to adjust the scope and scale of USAID’s work, and this is not that way. The demonization of these patriots is unacceptable, and the destruction of the agency will cause irreparable damage on a global scale.
USAID employees and their families have sacrificed for our well-being and for people worldwide, often in hostile conditions. Addressing the needs of the poor and suffering not only contributes to the future but also fosters friendship. The ocean of suffering is vast. One never knows what will be the ripple effect.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman, Chapel Hill
‘Fort Bragg’
The Trump administration has used a disingenuous approach to restore “Fort Bragg” as the name of our military base near Fayetteville. The name “Bragg,” for Confederate commander Braxton Bragg, was chosen for the installation in an effort to convince Jim Crow era politicians to support its construction in North Carolina.
Restoring the name “Bragg” in honor of a different individual, PFC Roland Bragg, does not erase the deeds and memory of Braxton Bragg, whose legacy will always be associated with the base. Renaming the base continues a strategy of Trump and Republicans to appeal to underlying racism for popularity and votes.
Hank Stroup, Raleigh
Birthright
The writers of the Constitution never imagined that people would travel here just to have babies and gain benefits. The Supreme Court should consider the world’s current status in its decisions. People from many countries traveled here to give birth and have citizenship for their children and never live here.
Illegal immigrants entered the country to give birth and have U.S. citizenship for their children. I believe Trump is right in stopping this, and the Supreme Court should back him!
Joseph Rothengast, Raleigh
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Trump and Musk are decimating NC. Senators Budd and Tillis are doing nothing | Opinion."