Trump is ruling like a king because he is too weak to govern like a president
A Crossroads for America
Politics in the U.S. isn’t just a debate—it’s a battleground of ideologies for our collective future. Recent years have brought significant change, a global pandemic, threats to election integrity, and a rise in political extremism. Rather than dwelling on past missteps, we must focus on solutions. How do we ensure accountability in a system where politicians shield themselves from consequences? How do we combat misinformation that divides families and communities?
Trigger warning Im a liberal.
~This post will be more of an essay and yes; it comes with hyperlinks girl-
The Dismantling of Public Health
The pandemic should have been a wake-up call for how critical public health infrastructure is. Instead, it was weaponized for political gain. One of my parents works at the CDC, and I’ve seen firsthand how this administration gutted funding, pushed out experts, and replaced science with politics. Trump’s administration systematically worked to undermine hard science while elevating alternative narratives that fit his political agenda.
The administration announced plans to cut billions in medical research funding, These cuts significantly impacted essential research, slowing scientific advancements and leaving America unprepared for emerging public health crises. Especially in a growing global economy!
At the same time, political appointees are actively trying to control anything they can, Trump officials attempted to control the content of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), one of the nation’s key tools for sharing accurate public health data. I ask you this, Give me one reason why this is a good idea and I can give you about 10 why its not. The administration’s repeated attempts to reshape or suppress COVID-19 reports exposed its broader strategy of manipulating scientific findings for political gain, making it more difficult for the public to access life-saving information.
Beyond interference in government agencies, Trump’s administration launched an attack against scientific integrity by promoting alternative platforms to promote misinformation. As they wouldve been banned anywhere else, Key health officials nominated by Trump created their own scientific journal to challenge established public health consensus on vaccines and mask efficacy. This effort gave legitimacy to pseudoscience, creating confusion among the public while weakening the country’s ability to combat the pandemic effectively.
Imagine if Kamala Harris launched her own magazine and on the first page was an ad for a Makeup brand she had just launched. You can read the headlines in your head. but the feeling of why would she even do that is the same feeling i have to almost ALL of trumps executive orders. My god.
As if defunding science and distorting research weren’t enough, the administration further undermined progress by issuing executive orders that targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federally funded programs. These policies created uncertainty among researchers, limiting progress in fields essential to tackling health disparities. Such actions reveal an effort not just to challenge science, but to reshape it into a tool for political and ideological control.
The misinformation surrounding public health was not an isolated event. In fact, similar tactics were used to interfere with the 2020 election
The 2020 Election and Ongoing Interference
The 2020 election highlighted the vulnerabilities within American democracy, revealing both foreign and domestic efforts to undermine the electoral process. Foreign interference, mainly Russia, played a significant role in attempting to sway the election's outcome. According to a declassified report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Russian actors engaged in influence operations aimed at denigrating then-candidate Joe Biden and supporting former President Donald Trump. These operations included the use of proxies linked to Russian intelligence to promote misleading narratives about Biden to U.S. media organizations and officials.
Domestically, the spread of disinformation further complicated the electoral landscape. A comprehensive fact-check by PBS NewsHour found little evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Despite this, false claims about election integrity persisted, leading to public distrust in the electoral process.
Voter suppression tactics also emerged as a significant concern. The Brennan Center for Justice reported that, following the 2020 election, numerous states introduced bills aimed at restricting voting access. These measures included stricter voter ID laws, reductions in early voting periods, and limitations on mail-in voting. Such actions disproportionately affected marginalized communities, raising questions about the commitment to equitable democratic participation.
Additionally, election officials across the country have faced an alarming rise in threats, harassment, and intimidation, a trend that has accelerated in the wake of the 2020 election. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, many officials have received death threats simply for doing their jobs, leading to increased security concerns and a growing number of resignations. These attacks, often fueled by baseless conspiracy theories and political rhetoric, undermine the integrity of the electoral system by discouraging experienced professionals from continuing in their roles. The chilling effect of these threats not only affects election administration but also erodes public trust in democratic institutions, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad-faith actors. Several reforms have been proposed to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process:
Establishing National Voting Standards: Implementing uniform guidelines across states can ensure consistent access to voting, reducing disparities and potential suppression tactics.
Addressing Disinformation: Enhancing efforts to combat false narratives through public education and holding platforms accountable can help maintain public trust in the electoral system.
Campaign Finance Reform: Reevaluating the influence of money in politics is crucial to prevent undue influence and ensure that elections reflect the will of the people.
The challenges observed during the 2020 election underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to protect the democratic process.
Executive Orders At the beggining of Trump's Second Term
1. Redefining Gender and Rolling Back LGBTQ+ Protections
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed the executive order titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." This order mandates that all federal agencies recognize only two genders, male and female, as determined at birth, effectively erasing recognition of transgender and non-binary identities within federal policies. The order also led to the removal of LGBTQ+ resources from government websites and halted the processing of passport applications seeking gender marker changes or non-binary designations. Critics argue that this move disregards established medical understanding of gender and infringes upon the rights of transgender individuals.
My opinion is, I had a friend who is a conservative but he explained it very well, “Biological gender is determined by an individual's physical and genetic traits at birth, this cannot be changed. However, gender identity—how a person emotionally or socially experiences and expresses their gender—can be fluid and may change over time based on personal, cultural, and societal factors.”
And I think that gets lost in the whirlwind of conversation.
2. Restricting Gender-Affirming Care
In a further move affecting the transgender community, President Trump issued an executive order titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," which threatens to withdraw federal funding from medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care to individuals under the age of 19. This order has led several hospitals to cease offering such treatments, leaving many transgender youths without access to necessary healthcare. Legal challenges have been mounted against this order, with plaintiffs arguing that it infringes upon constitutional rights and constitutes discrimination based on sex and gender identity.
My opinion is, why?
3. Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs
President Trump ordered the termination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs within federal agencies, placing employees associated with these initiatives on immediate leave. He also rescinded Executive Order 11246, which had mandated affirmative action and nondiscrimination practices for federal contractors since 1965. This move has been criticized for potentially undermining decades of progress in promoting equal employment opportunities and addressing systemic discrimination.
My opinion is, I support DEI programs because they help ensure equal opportunities for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and international students like my boyfriend.
4. Restricting Birthright Citizenship
President Trump signed an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants. This action challenges the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment and has sparked significant legal debate regarding its constitutionality.
My opinion is, the 14th Amendment is clear—if you're born in the U.S, you're a citizen. Changing that sets a dangerous precedent.
5. Mass Firings and Federal Workforce Overhaul
The administration implemented a hiring freeze across the federal government and ordered the cessation of remote work within 30 days. Additionally, a new classification system was introduced, making it easier to dismiss federal employees. These actions led to mass firings, with the intent to replace existing personnel with individuals more aligned with the administration's agenda. Critics argue that these moves undermine the stability and neutrality of the federal workforce.
My opinion is, why? Just reform whats already there, and do it openly.
6. Halting Refugee Admissions and Immigration Restrictions
President Trump reinstated policies that suspend refugee admissions and impose travel bans on individuals from certain Muslim-majority countries. These actions have been criticized for discriminating based on religion and nationality, and for abandoning vulnerable populations seeking asylum.
My opinion is, this feels like a step backward. Refugees and immigrants contribute so much to the U.S.—why shut the door on them?
7. Withdrawing from International Agreements
The administration withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, actions that have significant implications for global cooperation on climate change and public health. These withdrawals have been viewed as steps back from international leadership and collaboration.
My opinion is, withdrawing isolates the U.S. rather than making it stronger. Climate change and global health require cooperation, not retreat.
8. Pardoning January 6th Participants
In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation, President Trump issued pardons to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6th Capitol insurrection, including members of extremist groups. This action has been perceived as undermining accountability for actions that threatened the democratic process.
These executive orders represent whats important to trump, many of which roll back protections, rights, and established norms. While some may see them as necessary reforms, others view them as harmful and regressive. In the end, governance should be about progress, fairness, and accountability—not about undoing rights or dividing people. We need leadership that prioritizes unity, transparency, and policies that truly serve all Americans.
