Local opinion: Pope Leo doesn’t like Trump’s war

Pope Leo XIV has accused Trump of causing death and suffering by leading thousands into an illegal and unnecessary war of Trump’s choice. The Pope is calling Trump's war in Iran a “scandal to the whole human family.” The Pope recently renewed his calls for a ceasefire, saying the devastation Trump is causing in Iran cannot be ignored. The world knows Trump, the deranged man in the White House, has fallen into something profoundly evil. And all this about a U.S. President who falls asleep on camera during his Cabinet meetings as he is briefed on his Iran war. His sycophantic acolyte Cabinet struggles to muster polite laughter while the president catches a few Zs.

On the Hill, Republicans are exasperated with Trump’s War. Still, they are reluctant to act, which means this isn't just Trump’s war. It is the Republican GOP’s war — a conflict that hasn't been authorized by Congress.

Don't be a spectator, America. There's no time for hand-wringing or avoiding the issue. Our country and the world are in trouble because of a child raised by a ruthless father, Fred, who gave him no love and created an enormous beast that needs constant support, affirmation, and, like a child, must be told what a good boy he is — something Trump constantly must hear.

Trump, the baby, a nepo-baby, has spent his entire life avoiding the consequences of his choices and major business failures, leaving his lenders and investors over the many years with billions in losses. His father repeatedly gave him money to cover his calamities, his recklessness, and the wreckage of his many failed ventures. All the while, Trump moved forward as he exploited, deceived, or scammed more gullible people.

Trump persistently claims to be successful, wealthy, and smart — lifelong grifter's motto. He believes that reality is whatever he states it to be. Say it loudly and often, never admit fault, never apologize, only attack — this is the Trump family code.

So, what have Americans been forced to endure in 14 months under Trump 2.0? Grocery bills rise daily as prices soar; farmers today struggle to obtain fertilizers due to the war in the Strait of Hormuz. Gas is climbing to six dollars a gallon, driven by a man who has never read an economics book. Basic economics is painfully and obviously beyond Trump’s grasp, especially considering what he has done to the country with his ridiculous tariff conflict.

Unaccountable, anonymous, masked thugs are brutalizing immigrants and citizens while Trump constructs massive concentration camps nationwide. Nearly 100 people in the US have lost their lives since Trump’s private ICE Army marched on America.

Trump lifted sanctions on Russian oil, handing his pal Putin billions in oil profits last week. He has done the same with Iranian oil, providing our enemy in the war with billions in cash, an immediate financial windfall. So much so that an Israeli policy expert at the Institute for National Security Studies recently said: “The U.S. is funding a war against itself.”

America and the world are being driven by the obsession of a pathetic man who believes that power and money matter more than country and democracy. A man who personally benefits financially from every decision based on what’s in it for him.

Where does that leave us? With a national debt now exceeding $39 trillion, driven by Trump’s Republican War and massive tax cuts for his insanely rich friends. The interest alone on our country's debt each year is now more than our entire military budget. Who’s going to pay for that when Trump’s group of criminals is gone or incarcerated?

Citizens, we must not be mere spectators in this massive destruction of America. We need to actively support campaigns, vote, protest, attend meetings, make political donations, and volunteer. We must defeat this deeply flawed man once and for all.