“Executive Decisions” by Kirstyn M.

 

From the get-go, President Joe Biden planned several executive actions on his first day as U.S. president. Many of the decisions have undone Trump’s policies/legacy. For example, Biden reversed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization.  Also, Biden has stated that he will “sign an executive order reversing Trump’s immigration policies.” President Biden is requiring masks to be worn on all federal property, but it is not a national mask mandate. He launched a 100 days mask challenge in an effort to encourage Americans to wear their masks. Also, Biden signed to re-enter the Paris climate accords, which will take place in a several weeks, along with reversing many of Trump's other environmental policies. 

President Joe Biden also supported DACA through an executive order. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is essentially a program that “protects from deportation immigrants brought to the United States as children,” with the order calling on Congress to provide legislation making a permanent status and path to citizenship available for those immigrants. Biden also ended the “Muslim ban,” as well as stop the construction Donald Trump’s border wall.

Biden will also be ending the 1776 commission, and one of his orders ensures that Americans from every background have the same access to federal government resources. In addition to this, one of Biden’s executive orders reinforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which will require that discrimination from the federal government based on sexual orientation or gender identity does not occur. 

Much controversy has been around the belief that Joe Biden’s presidency will be like Barack Obama’s third term. Many people believe that Joe Biden has and will be embracing many of the same policies that Obama did, and while this may be so, Biden has stated that it will not be a third Obama term, and that “the challenges facing fim were unique and sought to shake the shadow of the man who he served as vice president.” He also stated that “we face a totally different world than we faced in the Obama-Biden administration,”

So what do you think? Do you agree with Biden’s decisions while he has been in office thus far? Do you think his term will be similar to that of a third Obama term, or totally different?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/biden-executive-orders.html

https://qz.com/1960136/joe-bidens-most-significant-executive-orders/

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/21/us/joe-biden

https://www.ehstoday.com/standards/article/21151203/welcome-to-barack-obamas-third-term

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/24/joe-biden-nbc-interview-presidency

"The Capitol Riots" by Brooke H.

 

On Wednesday we saw what some have been calling, “one of the darkest days in American history.” A mob of people stormed the capitol building where congress was confirming the win of the election for president-elect Joe Biden. Congress and other important political figures were forced to hide for their very lives while protesters successfully entered the building. The entire DC national guard was activated. Four people were killed during the riots, with one of them being a veteran fatally shot. 14 officers were injured, one assaulted and hospitalized, while another received “significant fatal injuries,” from being hit with a fire extinguisher.  

Many have been looking into what has led up to these events. Most are citing the blame on president Trump, claiming that he has been provoking violence. Flames between the divided America have been high since the election and especially since Trump has been still claiming that he has won the election. The thousands of people who went to the building came from Trump’s rally that same day. At the rally he claimed to have won the election and is quoted for saying, “If you don’t fight like hell you’re not going to have a country anymore,” and, “We are going to the capitol.” Many are arguing if this is really inciting the violence, especially since he also said, “Peacefully and Patriotically make your voices heard.”

Since the riots, many are praising vice president Mike Pence for handling the riots and going against Trump, seemingly being the voice of reason in the storm. Trump has been impeached for the second time in his one-presidential term. Many politicians have publicly condemned the event: including all past presidents and even Republicans. Some are comparing the riots to those in the summer and comparing how both were handled. 

Very few protesters were successfully arrested Wednesday for simply because of the lack of manpower. Many are stating that since they knew of the protest beforehand, the security should have been higher than what was actually present. Many see this as an embarrassment of our national security. The whole ordeal was highly videotaped as there are photos of people carrying flags, sitting in congress, and even in Nancy Pelosi’s office. Most of them have been arrested now and are facing federal charges. The FBI is still arresting protesters today and are taking tips. 

Today, DC is still in a public emergency state with a curfew. Security is on it’s highest level with many in fear of another deadlier attack on inauguration day this Wednesday that Trump has even stated he will not attend. Do you believe the rioters should be protected under the 1st amendment? Did Trump incite the crowd and should he be impeached? Should and how do these compare to the summer protests? Should we blame those who are supposed to protect the capitol or were they just unprepared?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55640437

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/06/dc-protests-trump-rally-live-updates/

“Nancy Pelosi reelected Speaker of the House” by Hailie P.

 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/nancy-pelosi-faces-razor-thin-margin-house-speaker/story?id=75017441

January 3, 2021 Nancy Pelosi was reelected as Speaker of the House. Pelosi is now entering her fourth term leading the House. She is currently the only woman to ever serve in this position. Her win was not by much considering the Democrats have the slimmest house majority seen in the last 20 years. Corona Virus also changed the way voting had ever been done before. All members of Congress were required to have negative Covid test results and family and friends were not allowed to accompany members to Capitol Hill. Masks were required in the chamber. A plexiglass enclosure was also installed to allow members that were exposed to Covid to vote. Voting in person has been highly criticized by both parties. However, the Republican party in particular stated it was done specifically to endanger members to help Pelosi win. No matter the objection Pelosi was declared the winner and will begin her 4th term as Speaker of the House. Pelosi began this term by explaining that the most important issues for the 117th congress will be defeating the coronavirus pandemic. 

Do you think voting was unfair? Will congress be able to defeat Covid? Do you believe Nancy Pelosi is bringing positive change?