Candace Beboe, a junior Law and Society major, gave a presentation Monday sponsored by the Theta Nu Xi multicultural sorority to educate students on what is happening in the world of politics, especially in regards to Donald Trump.
“Often times us college students are so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we don't focus on the media or politics,” Beboe began.
She explained, though, that it is important for students to understand what is going on because it will affect them, if not now, then in the future.
Beboe first gave background on Trump, elaborating on when his political aspirations took root. She explained how he was a presidential nominee for the Reform Party during the 2000 election, but due to a poor outcome of voters and support, Trump withdrew his nomination. Trump seemed to steer away from politics after that, becoming primarily known for his television show the "Celebrity Apprentice." Sixteen years later, he returned to politics, this time hoping to gain the Republicans’ support.
Much of the Republican Party embraced Trump, appreciating his candid personality and his refusal to abide by political correctness. Despite his support from Republicans, many refused to believe that he could possibly be the party’s nominee, let alone the president.
“We go through time and we see this is actually a thing and this is not a joke,” Beboe said.
Trump became the official nominee for the Republican Party on July 15, 2016, despite his widespread unpopularity and lack of political experience. Then, on November 8, 2016, he received 53 percent of the vote, thus making him the 45th president of the U.S.
Many believed that Trump would not be able to keep some of the promises he made throughout his campaign. Almost immediately after taking office though, Trump began implementing executive orders to delay aspects of the Affordable Care Act, restrict access to abortions, build a wall on the Mexican-American border, revert federal action on transgender rights, defund programs set up to fight global warming and defund sanctuary cities.
“The most extreme executive order was his extreme vetting,” Beboe explained.
This executive order suspended refugees from entering the U.S. for 120 days while barring Syrian refugees indefinitely. It also banned immigrants from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen for 90 days.
Beboe said, “This was met with a lot of outrage.”
Both American citizens and government officials disagreed with the order. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups chastised the order, claiming that it was against what America stands for and a New York federal judge granted temporary injunction. This, however, was met by fierce complaints from President Trump, which he voiced via Twitter.
“Donald Trump has really used Twitter these days to get his point across,” Beboe stated.
She went on to explain how many feel that this threatens the distinguished title of the presidency and undermines its authority.
Beboe also addressed that America is made up of checks and balances and that the rule of the law is ultimately what will protect citizens. She emphasized that no one is above the law, not even President Trump, which has been made evident through the overruling of his extreme vetting executive order and Trump’s inability to get his healthcare plan through.
“In a sense, this is what is protecting people who have been here for so long,” Beboe said, continuing, “I think that this is really important and people really forget about it.”
Beboe ended by discussing the Syrian strikes. She explained that she had no idea what is going to happen next, as Trump’s tactics were so unorthodox and surprising. It also contradicts his earlier criticisms of the Obama administration, which he made public by tweeting, “We should stay the hell out of Syria.”
She also expressed her distress about how desensitized the public has become to Trump.
“It's just weird that people are starting to accept the fact that he does what he does,” commented Anu Upahyay, junior.
“None of my classes are even really talking about the Syrian strikes,” Beboe explained.
She went on to discuss that people can continue to educate themselves and choose to participate in protests on political issues.
“Probably the best thing we can do is make sure our voices are heard,” Beboe expressed.
emeline@ramapo.edu
