Simon Jenkins’ decrying of anti-Trump and other demonstrations displays a surprisingly simplistic understanding of the politics of protest (To rage against Trump’s visit is simply childish, 27 April). His scattergun disdain appears to condemn as meaningless any mass objection that cannot result in the instantaneous withering of the intended political target. Presumably the actions of the thousands who risked and lost their lives in Tiananmen Square in 1989, for example, would be understood as a monument to childish futility in the world of mathematically harmonious political symmetry that Jenkins’ activism requires, for “unless there are consequential gains to such action, it is mere self-indulgence”.

His reference to Ceauşescu, Mugabe and Mobutu as precedents for tolerating Trump’s state visit is equally mystifying. It could at least be argued (however weakly) that in their invitation lay the desperate hope of some leverage to be ventured against murderous tyrants otherwise immune to moral shaming, economic sanction or political threats. By contrast, it is precisely because the US shares with us the same moral universe and democratic principles that anti-Trump protests represent a powerful rejection of his traducing of those shared values. Offering such painful truths from within this so-called special relationship can be easily understood on both sides of the Atlantic as entirely legitimate objections to the man, not the office. It might also offer welcome evidence of solidarity, to the millions of US citizens who feel aggrieved by their contemptuous, megalomaniac representative – but presumably that’s too childish a gesture.

Paul McGilchrist

Colchester, Essex

• I am sure Simon Jenkins regards himself as a voice of reason, and he is undoubtedly blessed with considerable intellect. Curious, then, that he writes “If there is a crisis of liberalism at present, it lies in its retreat to a middlebrow bunker of confirmation bias,” even as he demonstrates his own capitulation to that tendency.

Climate change threatens so much more than “the lifestyle of [the planet’s] current occupants”. Believing that the way to meet that threat is to continue what we have been doing for the last 40 years, occasionally debating it in an empty Commons chamber and patting ourselves on the back because we have done better in responding to this global problem than some other countries illustrates that Jenkins’ cloak of rational righteousness is cosseting him from the tragedy consuming us all.

Dave Hunter

Bristol

• Simon Jenkins’ cogent article on Donald Trump’s visit in June is extremely well argued. However, you have also reported on two decisions taken by Trump: the withdrawal, under pressure from the National Rifle Association, from an international agreement on arms sales, and the weakening of a treaty on rape in warfare lest it promote abortion. One senses the influence of the evangelical right wing. It might, therefore, be appropriate to continue to protest against the presidential visit, overriding concerns about the historical relationship. It has surely been irretrievably damaged morally by his behaviour.

David Halley

Hampton Hill, London

• Perhaps it’s out of a misguided notion of balance that you’ve allowed Simon Jenkins to scorn protesters against Trump’s state visit, Attenborough’s climate change programme and Greta Thunberg. He says we need debate, not direct action. Debate is only workable when the participants offer and attend to evidence. UK politicians have not been doing this in relation to climate change – this is Thunberg’s point. No one who has actually read the IPCC report, not just the milder summary for policymakers, could see Attenborough’s programme as “doom-laden hysteria”. Jenkins’ piece lacks grounding; it is not a worthy contribution to the debate he advocates.

Dr Caroline Freeman

Bristol

• Like Simon Jenkins, I wish Theresa May hadn’t invited Donald Trump to Britain. As she did, he should be offered the normal courtesies. In the navy I was told one salutes the rank, not the person.

John Huntley

Manchester

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

• Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread of our print edition