Bredefeld pushes incorrect narrative

“Fresno Immigration advocates push back against supervisors’ defense of ICE,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 20)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are under attack, Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld said at a recent press conference.

Asked why he felt it necessary to hold a press conference to sound the alarm here, Bredefeld retorted, “That’s a stupid question. The fact is, ICE is under attack. You know, everybody knows it.”

The question was not stupid. Most Americans — about 58% according to recent polls — are upset by the reckless, bullying and sometimes illegal methods used by ICE. The killing of U.S. citizen Renee Good in Minneapolis has rightly incensed people in Minnesota and across the country.

In a CNN poll, 51% of respondents said ICE enforcement actions are making cities less safe. Only 31% said the raids make them feel safer.

Mike Reddin

Clovis

Election prediction

“American democracy disintegrates under Trump’s authoritarianism | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, Oct. 19, 2025)

Every morning, I wake hoping that I won’t have to experience any more of President Donald Trump’s destructive chaos. Every day, I’m disappointed. It is hard to understand how he has been allowed to wreak such havoc on our country and the rest of the world.

Will Democrats be able to flip the House and Senate in the midterms? I fear Trump will drastically interfere with the election.

Brian Johnson

Fresno

Rules do not apply

“Anti-ICE Protests Spread Nationwide,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 11)

If I was previously unsure whether I was living in a police state, the events following the murder of Renee Good settled it. Without even the pretense of an investigation, the Trump administration made it clear that it can kill anyone they wish with impunity.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE has become President Donald Trump’s Gestapo, and it is clear that constitutional rules do not apply.

Meade Fischer

Lincoln

Support for Prop. 19 repeal

“Third attempt to repeal Prop. 19’s tax burden on inherited property aims for 2026 California ballot,” (fresnobee.com, Dec. 4)

Proposition 19 did far more than adjust tax policy. It fundamentally altered the future of California families — often at the most vulnerable moment of their lives.

By turning the death of a parent into a taxable event, Prop. 19 punishes children for inheriting their family home. It dismantled long-standing, voter-approved, constitutionally protected property tax safeguards — yet voters were never clearly told what this would mean in practice.

Homes meant to remain in families for generations are sold under financial duress and lost forever. After the sale, many heirs still cannot afford to remain in the very communities in which they were raised.

On behalf of homeowners across this state, we ask for your leadership now — before more families are forced to lose not only their homes, but their roots.

Jim Lawrence

Board Chair, Fixin San Mateo County

The crisis isn’t wolves

“Is it a wolf or a coyote? What to do if you come across a wild gray wolf,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 14)

The “threat” wolves pose to public safety is statistically non-existent. In 100 years, there have been fewer than 30 documented attacks by wild wolves on humans across North America. Compare that to dogs, which bite nearly 4.5 million people and kill roughly 30 to 50 Americans every single year.

The real crisis isn’t the wolves, it’s our refusal to fund solutions. When we starve coexistence programs of resources, we manufacture conflict. We don’t need lethal management if we pay for the range riders, fladry and guardian dogs that actually work.

Jackie Zupsic

Los Angeles