From the right: Don Just Changed the Future

Commentary’s John Podhoretz finds Trump’s assertion about himself in the Middle East to be accurate. According to Podhoretz, Trump claims he doesn’t initiate wars; instead, he concludes them. The recent events in the region, particularly the strike on Iran, indicate Trump’s effort to end the ongoing conflict initiated by Iran and its allies. Podhoretz emphasizes the significance of the strike, suggesting that its repercussions could be monumental and historically significant. Trump’s belief that he was spared for a purpose, especially after surviving an assassination attempt, is shared by Podhoretz, aligning with Trump’s narrative of divine intervention.

Conservative: Kill the Suicide Bill

City Journal’s John Hirschauer advocates for Governor Hochul to veto the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which allows terminally ill individuals to request lethal drugs. Hirschauer criticizes the Act for potentially normalizing suicide as a human right, highlighting the insufficient safeguards in place. The Act fails to mandate psychiatric evaluations for individuals seeking the drugs and lacks a residency requirement, raising concerns about individuals traveling to New York solely for euthanasia. Hirschauer argues that by granting the right to end one’s life due to illness, the state diminishes the value of life and the significance of enduring suffering.

Liberal: UFT Winning Mayoral Primary

Joe Klein, in his analysis on New York schools, expresses disappointment over the deteriorating educational standards despite the substantial per-pupil expenditure. He criticizes the low proficiency levels in reading and math, pointing out that New York spends significantly more per student compared to the national average. Klein identifies an issue with teachers’ job security, as they, like other municipal employees, face challenges in being terminated. Education is vital for New York’s future success, yet Klein notes its absence as a significant topic in the Democratic mayoral primary discussions. Klein cites a report from the Manhattan Institute that rates most candidates poorly, with the exception of Whitney Tilson, who is viewed as a moderate figure disliked by the teachers union. The lack of endorsement from the UFT indicates their confidence that the winning candidate will comply with their preferences.

From the right: LA Needed Trump’s Help

“Gov. Gavin Newsom told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that local law enforcement officers were ‘sufficient to maintain order’ ” in Los Angeles, yet LAPD officers tell Heather Mac Donald at The Wall Street Journal, “We don’t have s— under control.” She cites numerous instances of violence that, by “sheer luck,” weren’t life-threatening. “Should Trump have waited to see if the locals” would eventually control the situation? The answer’s clear: “Police Chief Jim McDonnell put the LAPD on tactical alert” and canceled all time off. Yet days later, Mayor Karen Bass nonetheless had to order a curfew. “Still the disorder continued.” Fact is, “There is more danger from tolerating” lawlessness than from responding to it “with all legal means.”

Libertarian: Cut the F-35

“As the U.S. grapples with ballooning federal budgets and increasingly necessary spending cuts, the military remains ripe for austerity,” blares Joe Lancaster at Reason. The F-35 jet is a perfect example of a “program that deserves to be scrapped.” Since its inception after 9/11, “the jet has proven itself not ready from prime time, both more expensive and less functional than promised.” Too bad “the House Appropriations Committee’s proposed Defense Appropriations Bill for 2026 would spend $8.5 billion on F-35s,” and “President Donald Trump has called the F-35 ‘the greatest fighter jet in the world.’” “The F-35 means to replace previous-generation aircraft like the F-16, but instead, the obsolete models are running circles around their intended replacement.” Every new thing we hear about the F-35, “proves that it’s long past time to kill the program.”

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board