On January 20th 2025, President Trump was Inaugurated as the 47th president of the U.S. His inauguration day included signing tons of executive orders detailing his plans for topics like immigration, climate changes, pardoning January 6th rioters, etc. It is very Ironic that his inauguration fell on the day that celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a peacemaker that fought for freedom, democracy, and peace.
President Trump signed many executive orders including, pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, ending the birthright that immigrant children earn by being born in the U.S. and even naming the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of America. He also signed an order that ICE can raid schools and churches to arrest illegal immigrants. “The Department of Homeland Security is giving the go-ahead for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to make arrests in some previously protected places.” (NBC)
Dr. King fought for peace by organizing peaceful rallies and advocating for African American rights, and organized sit-ins, and eventually helped African American people in the U.S. gain rights that they previously did not have. For example, the civil rights act of 1964 outlawing segregation in businesses, schools, churches, etc. he also helped pass the voting rights act that prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
In addition, President Trump recently banned all Black Lives Matter and LGBTQIA+ pride flags from Government buildings across the world. “President Trump’s State Department has enacted a “one flag policy,” banning U.S. embassies and overseas missions from flying pride or Black Lives Matter flags.”(News Week) this is very offensive to people across the country that support BLM or LGBTQIA+ because they feel unsupported by the government.
President Trump is implementing many pieces of legislation and hurting the American people in the process. He is restricting the freedom of Americans, and condemning people for what makes them individual and human. Dr. King fought for the freedom of expression and for people in America to have equal footing and be at peace with each other.
President Trump is redefining what the American government restricts and believes in being less accepting of people’s identities. He is pushing the limits and powers that a president has and purposefully does not have direct power over to prevent absolute control over the government.
President Trump’s inauguration being on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is very contradictory and offensive to people who celebrate individuality and believe in equal rights and freedoms.
