After the recent transfer of power from former President Joe Biden to President Donald Trump, several inaugural events have stirred up much controversy. Although change is necessary for progress, this change has seemed to move us back as a country. From the recall of reproductive rights to the potential pro-fascist hand gestures made at the Trump rally, the future of America is unsure. It is vital to stay educated and form your own opinions during these times, despite our propaganda-saturated media. Trump made many promises during his inaugural address such as revoking the Green New Deal, locking down borders by reinstating the Alien Enemies Act of 1978, and taking the Panama Canal back from China. To some these ambitions may seem entirely positive however these actions could have devastating consequences.
Trump seeks to revoke the Green New Deal because he believes it will be “saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American auto workers.” While this Green New Deal could potentially take jobs from anti-electric auto workers, many jobs would have been made available in facilities that manufacture electric vehicles. The new deal also provided funding for more environmentally friendly housing, with construction workers needed to build those houses, many more jobs would have been created. Creating so many federally funded jobs does have the potential to hurt the private business sector however overall, it would work to combat climate change, recreate the jobs lost, and open up a new private sector. One that works to make our world cleaner rather than one that is primarily responsible for our current environmental state.
Trump is also working to crack down on immigration by reinstating the Alien Enemies Act. Although there are issues at the border, immigration policies this harsh could lead to problems. Trump has mentioned revoking birthright citizenship which would make children born on US soil to illegal immigrants non-citizens in some cases. This mass deportation has the potential to greatly harm the US economy as many states rely on the work of immigrants to produce food and other necessary goods.
Lastly, in Trump’s inauguration speech, he discusses how his “ proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” He then goes on to say he plans to take the Panama Canal back from China. While this is seemingly a radical patriotic act, his ambitions are misguided. He claims that “the purpose of the treaty was violated” however this is incorrect. Carla Martinez Machain, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, confirmed that this neutrality remains intact: “Any ship from any country wishing to transit the canal has the right to do so after paying a fee.” The treaty also stated that the United States would retain the right to defend the canal if it were ever threatened by a foreign aggressor. Neither one of these terms has been violated. Trump also claimed that the Panama Canal is being operated by China but these claims were false. China does not own any part of the canal; they merely use it for trade. They use the canal frequency as it is a vital part of world trade routes but they have repeatedly denied any ownership of the canal. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press conference in December that the country has “always supported the people of Panama in their just cause for sovereignty over the canal.” The goal to “take the Panama Canal back from China” is an altogether misguided statement as China does not control any part of the canal and if the US were to gain possession, this would be violating the both original Panama Canal treaty and the neutrality treaty as these documents state that “the US control over the canal would end on December 31, 1999” (Article 2, paragraph 2) and “after the termination of the Panama Canal Treaty, only the Republic of Panama shall operate the Canal and maintain military forces, defense sites and military installations within its national territory.” It is easy to take President Trump’s statements as fact since we are taught to respect authority however it is important to seek the truth in any political statement made.