Rising prices, pardons, and severe backlash, what is next?
Donald Trump, current President of the United States of America, has spent his first 100 days in office rapidly making changes to the U.S. law and economy.
While Trump has made a significant impact and set new records in office, many of these acts have sparked controversy.
This article will highlight three of Trump’s most significant actions in his first 100 days in office and their effect on the U.S. and the world.
Tariffs:
Just days after taking office, Trump began to impose tariffs on Chinese imports.
So far, Trump has imposed 145% tariffs on China noted in an article published by Reuters.
However, China has retaliated in Trump’s demand for tariffs and the ongoing trade war is becoming more prominent in its effects.
“When I’m out shopping, I noticed prices are going up a lot,” said Freshman Olive Jones-Harter.
With China playing a huge role in consumer goods that Americans use on a daily basis such as smartphones and toys, these tariffs are bound to cause severe damage to the U.S.
Executive Orders:
Before Trump, 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had held the record for most executive orders signed in the first 100 days of office with a total of 99; however, Trump has surpassed that number and had signed 142 orders.
Many of these orders pertain to immigration, education, and employment; yet, the swfitness of the signing of these executive orders has caused alarm and sparked legal challenges.
Some of the most controversial orders such as ending birthright citizenship, dismantling the education department, and firing federal employees have faced backlash from employees, academic institutes, and immigrants according to an article published by U.S. News.
These executive orders have severe consequences to the country with some even defying core American values.
“A lot of these executive orders are covered by amendments,” said Freshman Jewelles Hernandez.
With that being said, Trump’s quickness to sign executive orders without giving a bit of consideration to the public are clearly polarizing the U.S.
Pardons:
The United States Capitol had been stormed on January 6, 2021 leading to several arrests.
According to the White House Gov, Trump had issued a proclamation stating that he will “Grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol.”
The people convicted of the events on January 6 had been in support of Trump and were furious about the election results; therefore, they decided to storm the capitol in protest in an attempt of “revolting.”
Although the rioters claimed they wanted a revolution to the government and that they were pro-America, “They had brought a Confederate flag, which is the enemy of the United States,” noted Freshman Laurel Acken.
The pardons issued by Trump will mean that the convicted will no longer have to pay their court-ordered restitution.
Trump’s decision to grant unconditional pardons is a questioning of his ethics in being the president.
Indeed, Trump has made significant changes to the U.S. in his first 100 days of office and surpassed several previously set records by other presidents.
Trump is clearly going ham!
Yet, the effects of Trump’s tariffs, executive orders, and pardons are beginning to spark debates and divide the country even more.
