Trump Inauguration

As he steps up to the podium in his red tie, blonde hair combed to the side and thumb stuck up in the air, my heart drops. It’s official. Donald Trump is our president, and I am afraid.

Trump gave his inaugural address and was sworn into office on Jan. 20. During his speech, he promised to give the power back to the people.

“This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country,” he said.

However, the power is really transferring to a man who, throughout his campaign, made multiple sexist and racist remarks. He has gone after women, people of color, immigrants and the lower class. All of these people make up over half of this country and they should not have to feel scared. They deserve a president who will support everyone in America, no matter their race or gender.

Trump has made many promises throughout his campaign. His plans go against what the United States is best known for: freedom.

Trump wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Immigrants flee to America for opportunities that they cannot get in their own countries. Trump’s plans to build a wall will prevent Mexicans from getting the opportunities they deserve. America was built by immigrants, so we should accept the immigrants trying to come to the United States now.

He is also planning to order a temporary ban on refugees from Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Iran, Libya and Sudan. His goal is to keep out refugees from countries with a high rate of terrorism, unless they are Christian. During his campaign he said he would have a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States, and now he’s planning to suspend visas of people from the Middle East. People are coming from dangerous countries with a goal of finally feeling safe. They deserve a feeling of freedom and security. He’s discriminating against people from the Middle east and holding Muslims to the stereotype of being terrorists. He’s trying to bereave them of their freedom.

Not only is Trump planning to deprive people of their chance for freedom, he’s planning to deprive the press of their freedom of speech.

Trump is currently threatening a libel suit against the New York Times for defamation. Trump’s main goal for this is to weaken libel laws so it will be easier for public figures to bankrupt news organizations. As president, he should accept there are many different articles that will be written about him. Some good, some bad. That’s part of the job. Every news story he reads is someone speaking out, and he can’t take that away from them.

We are united by freedom. We welcome those who come in need of a second chance, but with Trump as president, immigrant families are afraid, and so is over half of America. It’s our job as people of the United States to stand up and fight for our rights and the rights of others. We need the press to speak out about our government’s plans. President Trump, if you don’t like what we have to say, then maybe you shouldn’t be in office.