President Trump promised to be a dictator on “day one”. Many dismissed this as Trump simply saying this for the sake of saying it, but what if he meant it? What if his policies are designed to do exactly what he promised: to create total control? What if he ignores orders from judges who test the limits of his power? And what if he really means it when he jokes about running for a third term?
What he said about being a dictator was more than a passing comment. Each day, democracy falls under deeper attack. Trump’s second term is turning out to be disastrous for many Americans. We need to talk about it.
Since his first day in office, Trump and his administration have moved swiftly to push an undemocratic and potentially fascist political agenda. There are many components to his agenda, but some of the main points include Trump signing sweeping executive orders, deleting various links off the government website (such as accessibility statements and resources for reproductive health), instituting various members into his cabinet who are working to erase DEI initiatives and crack down on immigrants throughout the country.
If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. Every day, I read headlines and wonder “what did he do now?” While I myself have not directly been impacted by these orders (at least, not yet), I know people who have been. I’m sure you do too.
Trump’s second term is straight out of a dystopian novel. ICE agents have been given the authority to take people out of their homes, their workplace and even their places of worship. It reads like a Suzanne Collins novel. Ripping families apart under the guise of legal process is utterly horrific and inhumane. ICE is an initiative designed to deepen divisions in our country and destroy families, and while it may not impact you directly, there are many people who now live in fear every day. Among those targeted are those who have tried to navigate the complexities of becoming legal citizens, all while working hard at jobs that most Americans would rather not have: laboring in our factories and farms, frequently in unsafe conditions.
His policies are actively working to isolate those who are most at risk, with ugly rhetoric being directed at immigrants and those in the LGBTQ+ community. The NCAA recently approved Trump’s executive order to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports. Pete Hegsweth, the newly appointed head of the United States Secretary of Defense is seeking to ban transgender women in combat roles.
The blatant hatred towards the LGBTQ+ community is incredibly heartbreaking, and this community is greatly endangered by Trump’s administration.This involves only recognizing an individual’s given birth on a passport, utterly denying their preferred gender identity. Gender-affirming care for transgender individuals is also highly at risk, and Trump strives to roll back the removal of anti-discrimination policies.
Trump is blatantly spreading hateful rhetoric toward those who are simply being themselves, particularly those in the queer community. What part of self-expression and authenticity is threatening towards Trump, I have no clue. But what I do know is this: queer people existed before the Trump presidency, and queer people will continue to exist after the Trump presidency. By diminishing them through heinous executive orders, Trump is not eliminating them–the queer community’s light is still very much prevalent in our country, and no amount of executive orders can dim it. To any queer person who is hurt by Trump, know you belong here. You matter. America is made for all of us.
He has destroyed DEI initiatives in the workplace and higher education which support inclusion and equal opportunity. No longer will institutions support the values of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.” If that doesn’t alarm you, it should. Our country is meant to be inclusive and accessible for all people. In fact, that’s a prime tenant of the American dream: everyone being free to be themselves.
But, the price of eggs is supposed to go down, right?
Nope. Trump may have campaigned with grandiose promises, but he has yet to follow through on any of the objective ‘positives’ he proposed. Trade wars and tariffs instituted by Trump will ensure that the price of eggs won’t be decreasing any time soon. In fact, food prices are only projected to rise due to Trump’s disastrous economic policies.
What about affordable housing or financial aid for college students? Trump is working to eliminate these as well. Shocked? You shouldn’t be. Trump is focused on building a financial portfolio for himself and his billionaire besties. He is not interested in you; he is only interested in himself.
Trump is working to dismantle the Department of Education. Why does this matter? Funding for public schools, student loan assistance and programs that help low-income students are set to be abolished. Education is a fundamental building block of democracy. We are all entitled to the right of education, and Trump is working to weaken it.
What about the threat of climate change? Trump’s “Drill baby drill” agenda is extremely dangerous to the environment. But thankfully he and his cronies will die before they see the true effects of it, right? We have the capability to help climate change. If all of the billionaires that Trump has implemented into his administration chipped in, we could solve these issues. However, Trump and Elon Musk are more focused on DOGE and destroying national security.
All aspects of life are changing for Americans under Trump’s administration. With RFK Jr. heading the department of health, America is sure to not get healthier any time soon. I mean, RFK Jr. is an advocate for drinking raw milk, which has proven to cause various physical ailments. He is also adamant that vaccines have a positive correlation with causing autism, which is blatantly false. Don’t expect Medicare to be easy to get anymore. Families who have children with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, may be greatly impacted, as the price of prescription drugs (which are life-saving, by the way), are sure to skyrocket due to the pure capitalistic greed of the Republican Party.
America, what happened to democracy? What happened to the American Dream? Are we really going to let Trump become a dictator?
“But it’s not like that,” some will say. “This is a liberal overreaction.” “Trump isn’t really seeking total control… he’s just draining the swamp, making America ‘Great Again’.”
Discrimination and hatred will not make America great. If you don’t think his policies are steeped in both, I suggest you re-examine the facts. Sure, one may be living in purposeful ignorance in order to not feel the true weight of what’s happening, but it’s time to wake up and realize the true severity of this situation. Recognize that it is a symbol of privilege to be able to ignore what is happening. Our generation can change this. Our country is meant to be one of equal opportunity and hope, and it is clear that this is no longer the case.
The next four years will pass. Not quickly, not easily, but they will pass. For now, we will continue to support each other. Reach out to your friends and family frequently. Find groups to help you stay connected. The most important thing is that we stay connected to each other and continue to advocate for a better way. A way that is just, moral and which represents the ideals of a country that is truly democratic- not a dictatorship.
Trump’s promise to become a dictator is looking more and more like reality. But if history offers a warning to us, it also offers hope: when people are willing to stand up for what is right, to speak up for liberty and justice for all, dictators lose power. We are a country founded on the principles of democracy. We don’t have a king. We don’t have a queen. And we don’t have dictators. We have presidents.
Below are some resources that can help:
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Crisis Hotline: Dial 988
Lancaster Stands Up: https://pastandsup.org/lancaster/
