President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20 and began signing executive orders.
The Tiger reached both the Clemson College Democrats and the Clemson College Republicans for comment on Trump’s inauguration.
Clemson College Republicans
“The Inauguration was a very rewarding and even nostalgic watch for a lot of us, especially those who’ve put in countless hours into aiding the Trump campaign. I am cautiously optimistic, however, as there are many supposed Republican “converts” that have gravitated towards President Donald Trump,” Jane Kihne, a representative from the Clemson College Republicans, told The Tiger in an email.
Kihne also noted that she is “relieved” that Vivek Ramaswamy, a previous candidate in the 2024 presidential primary elections, left the Trump administration “after he insulted the American people in order to take a stand on H1-B visas.”
She also hopes that the numerous executive orders Trump has signed are successful, especially the order regarding ceasing birthright citizenship and that “we see greater deportation efforts in weeks to come.”
Clemson College Democrats
“The inauguration of Donald Trump has, predictably, ushered in the usual chaos, confusion and cruelty that follow him wherever he goes,” Jordan Sylvester, a Clemson College Democrats representative, told The Tiger in an email. “If the first week of his presidency is an indicator of the next four years, America and the world are once again in for a bumpy ride.
“The battle to preserve democracy and decency throughout the next four years will be hard fought. We pray for our country,” Sylvester continued.
After being sworn into office, Trump immediately began enacting executive orders. These include, but are not limited to, pulling out of the Paris Agreement, requiring the government to only recognize two genders (male and female), making preparations to tax Canada and Mexico and ordering a review on the fentanyl flow coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico, according to the Associated Press.
While addressing mainstream issues, the White House Office of Management and Budget has been instructed “to cease spending on any financial assistance programs if they suspect it might conflict with … Trump’s recent executive orders,” ABC News reported.
The Trump administration announced on Monday night that grants and federal loans will be halted. However, the “freeze” was suspended on Tuesday until Feb. 3 due to a lawsuit “from a coalition of nonprofits and small businesses,” according to The Independent.
The White House clarified on Tuesday that if grants and federal loans are halted, the distribution of federal student aid, Pell Grants and more will not be impacted.
“Any program that provides direct benefits to Americans is explicitly excluded from the pause,” the White House Q&A memo states.
“My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and, indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” Trump said in his inaugural speech.
Trump will serve as the 47th president of the U.S. until Jan. 20, 2029.
