On Friday Jan. 20, Donald Trump was sworn into office. As I’m writing this article, the Women’s March takes place worldwide less than 24 hours from Trump becoming president. While I wasn’t well enough to make it out, I stood in solidarity with the people marching today. People worldwide lined the streets of big and small metropolitans alike; from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to London to Antarctica, people stood together to voice dissent and concern over the new president, his words, and the stream of approved cabinet members Trump brings into the White House.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law was announced and approved to be a senior advisor to the White House. This would have been illegal if Kushner had not taken a salary, but the question of the conflicts of interest this puts in place certainly leaves this position on shaky grounds. Rick Perry is also secretary of Energy; meaning, we have a man who proposed to eliminate this department altogether leading it. Rex Tillerson is the nominee for Secretary of State, a person that hopefully will get struck down by the Senate on Monday. Tillerson is an executive of Exxon Mobil and holds ties to the Russian government in some form. This is terrifying, to have a man who leads a corporation and has little to no diplomatic experience beyond business dealings abroad now potentially playing Secretary of State. The list continues, with another CEO leading the Labor position, Scott Pruitt--a man who’s sued the EPA possibly heading it--and last but certainly not the least worrying being Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, a man who serves to be an unfair and unfit judge for any marginalized group.
The list can go on, as I haven’t been able to find a single fit person to sit in the cabinet on Trump’s list. What raises concern is the repeal of ACA (Obamacare) put forth by Congress right before the inauguration. People are so quick to approve this without realizing they haven’t put any legislation in place to offer a replacement to the people. This is not only irresponsible and moronic but selfish and thoughtless as the politicians in Congress approving this motion continue to push forward. It shows a lack of care for the Americans that benefit from ACA that isn’t surprising or shocking, but only builds a case against them that they don’t care whatsoever for the people. I can’t help but sit and think what’s next if they do this without properly hearing the voice of the people. Programs like Planned Parenthood and ACA help a mass of people and provide much-needed care, and to just take that away shows a disrespect for citizens who need these services.
Trump’s words also continue to serve a negative impact as he went to the CIA on Saturday and continued to talk about himself, about how the media is crooked, about how he had amazing numbers--the most any president has ever seen--and continued to get so wrapped up in his own pride and ego that he never once addressed the hundreds of thousands of people in the streets. It needs to be understood that Trump’s words, actions, and rhetoric he’s preached throughout his campaign is unacceptable and hateful to many, and Trump needs to be held accountable for his words. Pick anything, from how he talks about immigrants, women, foreign affairs, or even helped to start the birther movement against Obama; these are outrageous words that anger many around the world. Just in the past day, no apparent changes to his behavior has been made as he continues to act thoughtlessly.
I am sick of being told these protests are for nothing; we’re protesting to exercise our First Amendment right to protest against someone who we disagree with on fundamental levels, even if it is our president. I am worried for my friends who are LGBTQ+, People of Color, disabled, and women and what this means for all of our futures. I’m incredibly happy to see this event take place, but what's important is that we all continue to keep moving forward in what ways we can in order to build a brighter and better future. Despite all of this, I feel optimistic about the future as I see passionate people continue to push for change.
