Sound Off: February 1, 2026
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.
Qualifications matter
With ICE, CBP, and FEMA all in varying states of chaos, you’d think DHS might benefit from leadership grounded in actual homeland-security expertise. Instead, we have Kristi Noem, a former governor and ex–member of Congress — solid political credentials, but no real operational experience in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, disaster response, or federal law enforcement logistics. Apparently, résumé proximity now counts as qualification. That lack of domain knowledge shows. Calling someone a “domestic terrorist” because he legally carried a registered firearm near law enforcement isn’t just reckless — it’s wrong. Domestic terrorism requires ideological violence, not lawful gun ownership. The head of Homeland Security, of all people, should know the difference.
Beauty queen
If Sec. Noem is impeached how will she buy her hair products?
Walz away
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he will never seek political office again. Before he was picked to run as VP in Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign, he was a no-name in politics anyway. Now it’s become well-known that he was an inept state governor who never acted upon the clearly visible criminal fraud that saw millions of federal tax dollars effectively embezzled, stolen or redirected by the Somalian community.
Silly Dems
The Democrats chose Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to top their ticket in the last presidential election. Now they’re propping up California’s governor as their next party leader. It’s almost comical.
Hypocrites
Alex Pretti, a 17-year-old hero vigilante, traveled to a protest armed with an AR-15 rifle and shot three people, two fatally. Oh no, my bad, that was Kyle Rittenhouse. He was treated as a celebrity by the right, offered internships by the right, and met with Donald Trump at the White House. Kash Patel said “we will help Kyle Rittenhouse.” The Trump administration’s immediate and sickening response to Mr. Pretti’s death was horrifying and hypocritical beyond words.
Just so we’re clear
This really is blowing my mind: We’ve now got hard-core Republicans saying you shouldn’t bring guns to a protest? Or is it you just shouldn’t bring guns to a protest against Republican leaders and ideals?
Spittin’ image
It’s beginning to look like Alex Pretti wasn’t the most innocent individual ever to walk the earth.
Guns at protests
What would be the reason to carry a gun to a protest? Would it be to protect yourself from your fellow “peaceful protestors,” or for a potential shootout with law enforcement? Nurse Pretti turns out not to be the sweet guy portrayed in the mainstream media. I’m sure a lot of you have not seen the video of him in the street cursing at, spitting on and kicking out the taillight of an ICE vehicle. Why was his reason for carrying?
Tickets
If people are willing and able to pay for entertainment tickets for hundreds or thousands dollars for 2-3 hour performances, then we must be in better shape financially than we are advised. Especially when you can watch on devices or listen on playlists.
Borrowing America blind
The 2026 federal budget is a flashing red warning light. Washington plans to spend $5.62 trillion while collecting only $4.05 trillion, blowing a $1.86 trillion deficit in a single year. A $1.6 trillion discretionary spending plan charges ahead as interest on the national debt soars, leaving taxpayers and future generations trapped in a cycle of endless borrowing. This isn’t governance — it’s preventable fiscal danger hiding in plain sight.
Help me, here
The party of Don’t Tread On Me is now, all of a sudden, totally cool with all this treading?
Belichick’s Hall vote
All the indignant athletes crying over Bill Belichick not making the NFL Hall of Fame should remember that one of the greatest and most winning coaches in history apparently thought he and his teams were not good enough to win without cheating, which went on for years. Self-respect is the name of the game, not winning at any cost. Ask Lance Armstrong.
Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.