Blowing The Trumpet On Abortion And Immigration | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Blowing The Trumpet On Abortion And Immigration

Donald Trump is officially America's president...now what?

19
Blowing The Trumpet On Abortion And Immigration
Getty Images

On Friday, January 20, 2017, Donald Trump became America's 45th president. Of course, as with everything, there was approval, indifference and disgust in response to his inauguration. But aside from the fact that Donald Trump is now our president, what does it mean for us? What will he do now? How will it affect us? Are we safe? Is it all just flippant promises?

To start off with, one of Trump's first act of presidency was signing an anti-abortion executive order that reinstates Ronald Regan's anti-abortion "global gag rule." Signed on Monday, this rule "prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning funds from advocating for abortion or providing abortion as a method of family planning."

The global gag rule not only hampers HIV prevention efforts and prevents women and girls from accessing contraception and safe abortion consistent with the laws in their countries, it also has the potential to negatively affect the speed and effectiveness of humanitarian aid. It even obstructs rural communities' access to health care, among other things.

Trump's cabinet is more white and more male since Reagan was in office, and this doesn't bode well for minorities or women.

But that doesn't mean that action isn't being taken against Trump's action. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) says that she is "planning a legislative response" to the gag rule.

“I will continue to stand up to President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress who are intent on rolling back women’s access to reproductive healthcare, and will soon be introducing bipartisan legislation aimed to repeal the Global Gag Rule for good,” the senator said.

“Women around the world deserve to make important personal health care decisions without politicians in Washington interfering.”

(Above are midwifery students in Sierra Leone, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the world. Funding for safe pregnancy and delivery worldwide is threatened by President Trump's reinstatement of the global gag rule).

Perhaps the most appalling of Trump's recent acts is his immigration ban (signed on Holocaust Remembrance Day) on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, including the war-ravaged Syria.

Under this executive order, there will be a 120-day ban on virtually all refugee nationals, and those from the seven banned countries will not be admitted into the U.S. for 90 days.

“We don’t want them here,” said Trump during the signing ceremony on Friday.

“We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas.”

But is that really what he means? It's important to not miss out on the fact that his ban doesn't include countries where the Trump Organization has done or pursued business.

Countries not included in the ban are: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt — all of which house Trump-branded golf courses and luxury towers. Furthermore, his immigration restriction doesn't include countries that have been linked to Muslim terrorist attacks since 9/11. Countries omitted from the list include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait — places where terrorist action has been carried out. Meanwhile, no fatal attacks have originated for nearly four decades from the countries on the list.

(Protesters rally against President Trump's immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York).

Not only will his order make it impossible for citizens of those Muslim countries to enter the United States, but it'll affect those foreigners with visas. The order will cancel the Visa Interview Waiver Program and require repeat travelers to have an in-person interview.

Already many are speaking out, with the business sector leading the way.

Google, for instance, asked their employees to fly back to America while Netflix CEO and founder posted on Facebook: "Trump's actions are hurting Netflix employees around the world, and are so un-American it pains us all."

Apple CEO Tim Cook declared that "it is not a policy we support," and that "Apple would not exist without immigration."

As America holds its breath, waiting for Trump's next move, there's one thing for sure. Nothing Trump does will go unnoticed, both domestically and internationally, and those actions will affect how America is represented as a country. We can only hope that Trump will realize the extent of his actions and reform his ways. In the meantime, we can protest, discuss and peacefully show our objections so our voices are heard.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187899
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13426
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456760
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25954
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments