In his first month in office as the 49th President of the United States, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York actor and convicted felon Donald J. Trump has accomplished a lot. The following list is just the very tip of a truly horrifying iceberg. In the past few weeks, Trump:
Withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, World Health Organization, and several United Nations councils
Declared illegal immigration a “national emergency,” and refocused on building his precious wall between the US and Mexico
Froze federal aid
Froze federal hiring until the Trump Administration gets full governmental control
Legally denied the reality of gender diversity, announcing that the government will only recognize Male and Female genders on official documents, and restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare for minors
Pardoned the criminals behind the January 6th Capitol Riot, including members of the terrorist groups the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers
Threatened to increase tariffs to 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, but at the time of writing has not yet put this into action
Laid off Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officers across all federal departments
Scrubbed the language across government websites to remove mention of climate change, abortion and reproductive health, gender diversity, COVID-19, immigration resources, unionization, and so on
Suggested that the USA should ‘take over’ and ‘own’ Gaza, an area that has been ceaselessly under attack in the attempted genocide of the Palestinian people and culture
In a vengeful tirade, revoked security clearance for several former government employees, including the 48th President Joe Biden
Appointed the world’s richest man (and worst Saturday Night Live guest) Elon Musk in charge of the new Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), an advisory body focused on cutting government spending
Renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, and Alaska’s Mount Denali (a sacred Indigenous site) Mount McKinley
Banned federal employees from working from home
Declared a “national energy emergency,” declaring that the US will “drill, baby, drill” for fossil fuels, and defund green energy research and development
Invested in Artificial Intelligence and cryptocurrency
As I mentioned before, this is just a very brief recap of actions and decisions that will have lasting and devastating consequences for Americans and the world as a whole. I am sending my love and support to our southern neighbours, as they navigate this unpredictable and disempowering presidential term, and in particular to the LGBTQ+ and racialized folks whose rights are under attack.
Finally, before I wrap up this article, a quick reminder: up here in Canada, it is looking like we will have a federal election very soon. I urge everyone reading to make sure you are registered to vote at www.elections.ca - voting is the single most important thing we can do to stand up for the causes we believe in, and the only way that we can actively set ourselves apart from the intolerance and hate that is brewing down south.