Letters for Nov. 7: Attacks on rights show a ‘shift toward authoritarianism’

Constitutional rights

For nearly 250 years, Americans have enjoyed a nation built on the pillars of freedom and democracy. Our Constitution guarantees us fundamental rights. These rights are central to our identity and current way of life.

However, recent actions by the Trump administration have raised serious concerns about the erosion of these cherished freedoms. The administration has challenged the First Amendment, which protects five essential rights: freedom of religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly and the right to petition the government. There have also been efforts to undermine voting rights, including the endorsement of political gerrymandering, which threatens the principle of fair representation.

In addition, the rule of law has been weakened. Reports have surfaced