I am writing to encourage my fellow citizens to contact our congressmen (Senator Sullivan is a member of the Armed Services Committee) to rein in the current Republican administration’s despicable and costly military actions.

During a recent interview, Trump claimed he was “surprised” Iran would target our bases in nearby countries or shut down the Strait of Hormez. That’s because he fired senior officials from the previous administration who had predicted that is exactly what would happen — it’s the main reason they didn’t attack Iran. 

The entire world is now in an economic crisis; the Middle East is unstable; and our allies are distancing themselves even more as they are threatened for not participating in an unnecessary war they did not create or want.

Hegseth’s recent statement is to “take no quarter,” which means kill everyone even if they surrender, which is a war crime. He slashed the oversight offices which identify civilian facilities so they’re not targeted, resulting in us blowing up a school with over 160 children and teachers.

The continued blockade of Cuba, imposing penalties on an entire civilian population for the actions of its leaders — also a war crime. (Why Cuba, who poses no threat to us? Likely, Trump hopes to acquire oceanfront real estate for his family’s business.) 

These are the types of actions our country used to admonish and fight against. They are now standard practice for the Republican administration. Please contact your congressmen requesting a return to sanity.

Russ Lyman