As the Donald Trump era of presidency came to a close after the November 2020 election, Donald Trump’s legacy as President of The United States has been the topic of heated debate among American’s across the nation.
Whether you identify as a Democrat, Republican, or are a third-party supporter, most American’s can agree that the Trump Presidency has been one of the most eventful if not most controversial presidencies in U.S. history.
From his dark history with sexual harassment, bankruptcy and tax evasion, to more recent events such as inflammatory speech, sub-par COVID-19 response, fraudulent statements, and inciting the violence that led to the attack on the Capitol building January 6, 2021; Trump’s qualifications for the Oval Office have been questioned from the beginning to the end of his 4-year term.
Opinions of the Trump Presidency are about as polarized as they come, from those arguing for a second impeachment or invoking of the 25th amendment, to those who are loyal to a fault; losing their lives for Trump’s cause during the uprising at the capitol.
With so many media and news sources spinning their different takes on the Trump presidency, how does one develop their own opinion on the matter?
Here is a quick layout of facts from which you can form your own determination on the past four years in our nation. Does the good outweigh the bad? You decide.
Starting with Trump’s accomplishments while in office we can look to the criminal justice system, judiciary system, and the economy.
December 2018: President Trump signed a bill into law to reform the federal prison system. The First Step Act addresses the social problem of mass incarceration rates by reducing maximum-minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses and further expanding early release programs previously established by the Obama administration.
December 2019: Formed to protect the interests, assets, and operations of the United States and from space, President Trump formed the 6th branch of the United States Armed Forces referred to as: Space Force.
October 2020: Trump picked his 3rd lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, shortly after the passing of the distinguished Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Throughout the course of his term. Trump has been said to have “reshaped” the federal judiciary by his three appointments to the Supreme Court and 220 lifetime appointments to federal courts.
Entering his term during an uptick in economic trends, Trump has been credited with growing the U.S. economy an average 2.5% over the first three years of his presidency, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Trump Administration has been credited with bringing more than 6.6 million jobs to American citizens prior to the pandemic.
As with all subjects of debate it is important to consider both sides of any dispute; let us continue by looking into the failures and misconducts of the Trump presidency.
Abuse of Power: Often using his Presidency and public office to settle scores and pursue personal vendettas with groups and organizations such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon and The Washington Post, CNN, AT&T, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Paired simultaneously with his business dealings that are often conveniently benefited by the new bills, laws, and international trade agreements established by the Trump Administration, it calls to question whether President Trump’s decisions are made to benefit the American people or himself.
Bigotry/Slander/Divisiveness: From sexist remarks regarding women and women’s rights movements, racist comments in relationship to immigration policies, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other similar organizations to verbal attacks on media journalists, and against members of the Democratic Party, President Trump has insisted on further polarizing and inflaming the nation over his years in office.
Sedition and impeachable offenses: After his loss to Joe Biden in the most recent presidential election, Trump made history once again by being one of the eleven incumbent presidents in all of history to not be granted a second term. To add to his exclusivity, Trump also became the 3rd president in U.S. history to be impeached. First president to be impeached twice.
After 4 years’ worth of misleading the American public, interfering with elections, fraud, and perjury, the most recent controversial and scandalous event surrounding the Trump presidency is the attack on the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C.
Prior to the attack, Trump held a rally where he and his inner circle encouraged, praised, and insinuated that Trump “loyalists” should engage in violent, riotous, and other variations of intimidation tactics against members of Congress while the decision to certify the election was taking place inside the Capitol building.
New and ongoing investigations surround Trump’s accountability in the recent attack; where a second impeachment is on the table.
While not an exhaustive list of the Trump Presidency’s faults, failures, and accomplishments, the evidence against President Donald Trump is unfavorable. As we wait for further information on the fate of our highest levels of government, let us form educated and well-founded opinions about the past four years of our nation, as we determine whether tyranny is our future, or just a dark mark on our soon to be past.
