Moral apathy

The news being disseminated by the Trump administration gets more unsettling every day. Just as we steel ourselves to watch videos of small children crying for their parents, from whom they’ve been separated at the US border, we learn that the US is withdrawing from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Ironically, the decision is justified by allegations of human rights abusers serving on the council – a classic example of Orwellian “doublethink”.

Trump has been forced to respond to the condemnation of this cruel policy, and has signed an executive order to “keep families together”. He realises that, as far as the public is concerned, a moral line has been crossed. The wording of the order still leaves room for exceptions, however.

It’s no secret that the Human Rights Council is in need of reform, but Trump has been a vocal supporter of despots and dictators with horrendous human rights records, and his administration’s priority is to defend Israel against accusations of human rights abuses in Palestine. Human rights are threatened across the globe, and by withdrawing from its obligations to protect those rights, the US administration has taken another step towards moral apathy.

Those of us who feel a deepening unease about Trump’s decision-making have good reason to be concerned. He has the backing of powerful religious figures in his drive to “Make America Great Again”. Pastor Robert Jeffress, who blessed the new US Embassy in Jerusalem, praised Trump for standing on the right side of God “when it comes to Israel”. He believes that the president has been authorised by God to do whatever he wants – and Trump has obviously taken that as the Gospel truth.

He’s not the only one. In her attempt to defend Trump’s policy of separating children from their parents, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders declared that it is “very biblical to uphold the law”. No moral qualms for her, then. When the Bible is used to justify morally repugnant policies we all need to pay close attention.

CAROLYN TAYLOR

Wellbank Broughty Ferry, Dundee

The hypocrisy of Nicola Sturgeon, Ruth Maquire and others regarding President Trump’s visit in July is appalling (“Red Carpet Treatment for Trump”, 22 June), especially when they were gushing over the past visit of President Xi Jinping of China, who presides over one of the most oppressive governments in the world, regularly imprisoning and torturing Christians, Tibetans and anyone who speaks out against his government.

Yet President Trump is not considered worthy of their respect for what reason? The so-called cages the children of illegal immigrants are placed in were used by the Obama administration. Trump’s administration is merely obeying the law passed by past Democratic administrations.

President Trump’s administration is having to deal with tens of thousands of illegal immigrants who, had they merely applied for asylum in any number of consulates or embassies throughout Mexico or even at the Us-mexican border, would not have been separated from their children.

Some of these children are not even those of the adults using them to get into the US. And had they not come in illegally they would not have been separated from their children.

So if the First Minister and others would actually investigate the facts they would roll out the red carpet and treat President Trump with the respect he deserves. He is not against immigrants, but merely protecting America from those trying to illegally enter. The American economy is booming, unemployment, including for African-americans, is the lowest it has been in almost two decades.

Trump is doing a brilliant job cleaning up the economic and social mess President Obama’s and other administrations left him.

PS AIKEN

The Hills Goslawdales, Selkirk