After the intense presidential election, a feeling of dread washed over America and the young minds of those whose candidate lost. In recent weeks, that feeling has become stronger with President Trump’s inauguration and his fury of new executive orders.
On his very first day of office, Trump enacted over 33 executive orders which threaten the everyday lives of average Americans — particularly environmentalists and migrants.
For the last 20 years, the United States has been second only to China in carbon (CO2) emissions. However, since the U.S. became signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement, we have taken measures to lessen our CO2 emissions. Yet, in Trump’s first day back in office, he pulled the U.S. out of the treaty and went after the Biden Administration’s federal procurement targets (for clean energy).
He then enacted a National Energy Emergency, which he plans to use to target Alaska and its natural resources, going against the previous administration’s protection of the state.
His carelessness for not realizing how big of an impact drilling oil would do to the natural environment of Alaska.
Trump stated he was going to “Drill, baby, drill.” This is a disgusting act of negligence and ignorance by Trump, who simply does not understand how he single-handedly can destroy parts of the natural environment, all in the name of profit that oil companies already have in spades.
This could be very detrimental to the earth and our livelihood.
CO2 emissions will skyrocket, heating up the earth and causing a multitude of problems; ice caps melting, oceans rising, extreme weather events and destroying ecosystems that are vital to the survival of the human race. Eventually, the effects of this drilling can become irreversible and we could lose the already small amount of time we have left to save the planet.
Regarding the “migrant issue,” Trump declared an emergency at the U.S-Mexico border, deploying National Guard troops to the area and allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to force themselves into homes, workplaces, schools and churches to apprehend people they suspect are undocumented for deportation.
Trump, in an even bolder move, attempted to end birthright citizenship for those born to undocumented immigrants – an explicit violation of the 14th Amendment.
Which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Not to mention the orders that attack asylum seekers, as he has ordered the “Remain in Mexico” program which forces people seeking safety in the U.S. to remain in dangerous and life-threatening conditions in Mexico until their cases are heard. Or the fact that he has ordered ICE to detain people to the fullest extent (using criminal prosecutions for immigration offenses with the intent to tear families apart and fill Customs and Border Protection facilities.) Which have been found to be unconstitutional and cruel by the federal court.
This will not only affect the family of undocumented immigrants, but anyone who lives in the U.S.
This attack is also affecting farmers all across America and the average American consumer. With “more than two-thirds of the U.S crop workers being foreign born,” many people don’t seem to realize that without a workforce, there will be no industry or agriculture. Food shortages will cause soaring prices, which goes against Trump’s campaign promise that he would lower the prices of groceries.
These disgusting acts that are being ordered across the country have devastating impacts on people.
The people that Trump is targeting are those who don’t fit into his mold, those who he deems to be unworthy of basic human decency.
All people in the U.S. deserve the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It should not matter what race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion or what class you are in — everyone deserves love, compassion, empathy and respect.
Just because there are others who don’t agree with you, or look like you doesn’t mean they are less worthy. I know that it might feel impossible to stand up for others but remember that any small act is helping someone live a better life.
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