The Trump administration has made more executive orders in the first week than any president has before in its first year. Yes, you read that right. As teenagers, we may be thinking about the overturned TikTok ban or the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. However, there are many more that we probably haven’t thought much about. While we might feel like we’re unaffected, these executive orders have a larger impact on our lives than we may think.
Since his inauguration, Trump has made it a priority to cut the Department of Education. As students at a private school, we may think this doesn’t affect us. However, this is far from the truth. On a personal level, my mom is a public school teacher in Minneapolis, and her position is 100% government-funded. If the Department of Education is cut, it would significantly impact my family’s life. However, even if you aren’t affected like me, there are more disadvantages to be considered. Many of us will apply to college soon, which means many students will consider taking out loans. Federal student loans programs such as Pell Grants, FAFSA (Free Education for Federal Student Aid), and more will be at the very least reduced. Additionally, there would be no state-mandated graduation requirements, which would change the way that colleges view a private school degree. Some states may require standardized tests such as the ACT or SAT while others may not. Essentially, the way that a high school education is viewed would change drastically in the eyes of college admissions.
The Biden administration took significant leaps forward to benefit the climate during their term, including signing the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest federal climate change investment in US history. The most frightening policy relating to the climate is Trump’s “drill baby drill” approach toward oil and gas production. The United States’ oil and gas industries were at record highs during the Biden administration, and with tariffs, the price of gas and oil will likely rise. While this is concerning, the aspect of the “drill baby drill” approach that is most scary is the effect that it will have on our natural spaces and wildlife. A personal example is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. I have spent many summers doing trips there, but the Trump administration wants to build a copper-nickel mine in the Boundary Waters watershed which would decimate the water, land, and wildlife.
There are many more executive orders and plans in place for this administration; these are just a few. Different policies have different impacts on different people, and it is important to recognize that we are not so far removed from the effects of these policies.
