The news of Donald Trump’s reelection as president in 2024 has sent shockwaves throughout not only the country but the world as a whole. The news has left me disappointed, discouraged, and fearful of the state of the nation in the present, but especially going forward.

For myself and others, who prayed and hoped for any possibility of a step in the right direction, we were met with a severe setback and a reminder of the tribulations our democracy faces. Trump’s first presidential campaign and term were plagued with controversy after controversy through his actions and rhetoric, and these controversies left a perhaps permanent stain on our nation that may not be able to be rehabilitated. The constant rhetoric was both racist and discriminatory, and his reelection brings into plain view a future in which his (and those who support him) regressive ideologies and agenda could become a reality over the next four years. 

To me, Trump’s reelection is more than an unfortunate development, it is an unfortunate reality and signals the direction our country is headed. As a half-Black, half-Hispanic male, his history of inflammatory and divisive statements feels like a direct and targeted attack, especially after our country, which believes in “liberty and freedom for all,” decides to have him in power for another four years. His administration could try to cover up his various controversies and explain them as something else, but his repeated statements and actions spell doom for minority groups and those who are not a part of the same 1% that Trump is over the next four years. 

Among the most concerning topics that come in the aftermath of Trump’s reelection is the impact his rule will once again have on the rights of women in this country. We have evidence of the severe consequences his reign could have as in his previous presidency he elected three Supreme Court justices that had a direct impact and influence on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. This was catastrophic in the fight for women’s reproductive rights and freedom. This simple action single-handedly unset decades of protests and advocacy, which gave states permission to set their own strict rules and regulations on reproduction, including outright banning abortions if they wanted to.

As if his policies weren’t enough, his rhetoric drew a final nail in the coffin for any chance of women’s autonomy. He has a well-documented history of discriminatory and outright sexist statements towards women. Everyone remembers the Access Hollywood audio that was leaked in 2016, a clear reminder and example of Trump putting women’s rights on the back burner in opposition to his own wants and needs. Trump’s statements and actions put into view a country where women are denied the right to their own bodies and futures. The next four years are unfortunately looking grim for the rights of women in this country. There are most likely going to be different policies and laws that go up in front of the judicial system that will most likely recommence with the stripping of women’s rights and freedoms. 

Another one of the more troubling consequences of Trump’s reelection is the continuing divide that this country will foresee. The prejudice and even racist comments that Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have spewed out over the past months and years paint a grim picture of the status of American society. From Trump calling African countries, Haiti and El Salvador “S**thole countries” before later asking why couldn’t we have more immigrants from Norway? Vice-President-elect JD Vance continued to spew out misinformation regarding the whole fabricated story of Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, and the false statement that Venezuelan gangs have taken over communities in Aurora, Colorado. These statements have had real consequences on the safety and well-being of people living in these communities, as the Springfield police reported receiving numerous bomb threats in the days after Trump and Vance’s comments. Hate crimes were reported to have surged 20% under Trump’s first presidency. With the next four years potentially being one of the more divided in recent history, it’s difficult to properly emphasize the number of hate-fueled events that could take place. 

What is more shocking, is that Trump’s comments weren’t exclusive to regular citizens. Just recently, he made provocative and agitational comments towards former Representative Liz Cheney, implying that she should be placed in front of a firing squad. And what is more worrying is that he continues to get away with comments and rhetoric like this and each time, it seems he goes further with his comments. 

The constant and almost decade-long targeting of Hispanic and immigrant communities has been disturbing during his political career. Specifically speaking up the zero tolerance policy he has consequently led to the separation of thousands of children from their parents at the border, a lot of whom have still yet to be reunited with their families. He went as far as doubling down on this decision, electing for immigrants to stay in the dangerous and inhumane conditions in Mexico. For someone who appears to be so concerned with the economy of this country, he contradicts himself when sharing the ideologies that promote fear and prejudice against the community that has the fifth largest GDP in the world for the US. With Trump back in office for another four years, he and his administration have already alluded to harsh, cruel, and inhumane restrictions for the Hispanic population, which goes against the foundation that this country was built on, becoming a refuge and a sanctuary for those in need. 

Another worry that I have is the potential for an abuse of power and corruption within the next four years. During his first presidency, he continuously was involved with scandal after scandal, because of his tendency to treat his position as a personal one and not a professional and political one. His propensity to undermine and impair governmental checks and balances, along with his behavior in political situations (frequently acting like a teenager rather than that of a president of one of the more powerful nations in the world) exemplifies the danger we are in. This hasn’t even mentioned suspicious business practices or any of the 34 crimes that he was convicted of earlier this year. 

I believe that the re-election of Trump is an attack on democracy itself. His initial presidency saw the lines blurred between fact and fiction. Which is something that should never happen, especially in the world of politics. His fake news narrative allowed him and his followers to escape any accountability for his discretions. In the aftermath of the 2020 election results, his lack of trust in the legitimacy of the election results led to the events at the capitol on Jan. 6.

His continued tantrums when things don’t go his way will only lead to the continued destabilization of our democracy as it is.

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