Don’t send conflicted investigators into the Tarrant County Jail | Opinion
Unbiased look
Only one problem with your otherwise excellent editorial on the missing video from the Tarrant County Jail (May 4, 8C, “Case of missing video in Tarrant jail death stinks. Time for an outside inquiry”): To suggest that Gov. Greg Abbott send the Texas Rangers to investigate forgets that Trace McDonald was the Ranger who “investigated” several deaths in the past. The sheriff’s office later hired him.
The editorial board implied an incestuous relationship among law enforcement agencies, and that’s probably correct. To my knowledge, the Department of Public Safety hasn’t taken an unbiased look at the jail. Perhaps it can surprise us by actually investigating.
- Katherine Godby, Arlington
My GOP’s peril
As a lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump, I’m compelled to sound the alarm about the party’s precarious position heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Although some touted Trump’s first 100 days in office as “unprecedented,” his administration’s policies, particularly the chaotic rollout of his tariffs, have caused massive financial instability.
The Republican Party’s abysmal approval ratings, along with Trump’s, could spell a catastrophic electoral defeat in the 2026 midterms. The party’s razor-thin majority in the House is at risk. Trump must show more prudence regarding his tariffs and prioritize significant improvement in the economy.
- Lee Enochs, Denton
War’s aim
Bradford William Davis claims that the conservatives have already won the “diversity war” at Tarrant County College. (May 6, star-telegram.com, “Tarrant County College candidate is waging a diversity war his side already won”) He then points out that TCC receives money as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. If the war on diversity, equity and inclusion has been won, then why is money being spent based on the race or ethnicity of the students?
The “diversity war” is not a war on diversity. It is a war on race-based benefits to individuals and institutions, and it hasn’t been won yet.
- Tom Glenn, Fort Worth
Redistricting time
Tarrant County commissioners’ proposed redrawing of commissioner precinct lines mid-census prompts a question: Why? The probable intent is to create three Republican-controlled precincts. (April 6, 5C, “Redistricting Tarrant County might boost GOP, but don’t call it conservative”)
Donald Trump received fewer than 52% of Tarrant’s votes in 2024. Joe Biden received more votes than Trump in 2020. Republicans are not 75% of Tarrant County, nor do they deserve of three of four precincts.
Redistricting normally occurs after the decennial census. The Commissioners Court should drop its plans to do it in the middle of the decade. If it proceeds, it should provide sufficient funds for mapping software, public meetings and staff support for a genuine citizen-participation process. Otherwise, it exposes the plans as an overt power grab.
- Pablo Calderon, Fort Worth
Cut it right
Gov. Greg Abbott suggests that state government undergo a DOGE-like review to make it operate smoother and more cheaply. Considering Elon Musk’s roughshod methodology and the lawsuits that followed, I suggest that a scalpel be used in reducing the state’s workforce, as with federal workers during the Clinton administration, when zero lawsuits resulted.
Let’s streamline our state government the right way, without a power grab or rights violations.
- Pamela Porter, Fort Worth