On January 6, 2021, former president Donald Trump’s insurrection on Capitol Hill changed the United States forever. For the entire history of our country up to that point, presidents maintained a tradition of a peaceful transfer of power. As recently as in 2016, Hillary Clinton called Trump on election night to concede her defeat. Donald Trump’s coup attempt exposed the dangers of unrestricted power, and taught many of us a lesson on the need to safeguard our democratic process. For this, and many other reasons, Donald Trump should never be elected to the presidency again.
His two impeachments—which were unprecedented in American history—highlight the gravity of his misconduct in office. Trump’s legal troubles after leaving office, including 34 criminal convictions and multiple additional ongoing cases, have only further stained his legacy of division, dishonesty, and a disregard for the rule of law.
In addition to his moral failures, Trump’s age, now 78, have caused the same doubts for his fitness for office that ended Joe Biden’s reelection campaign earlier this year. This was exacerbated by an increase in erratic behavior at his campaign events, including one notable incident where he chose to sway to music for more than half an hour to conclude one of his rallies.
Trump’s racist rhetoric and harmful immigration policies continue to alienate marginalized communities. His endorsement of white nationalism and cruel border enforcement practices demonstrate a disregard for human rights. Furthermore, Trump’s relationship with authoritarian leaders—especially Russian president Vladimir Putin—puts in question his loyalty to the United States.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris has a plan to lead the country to a bright future. Harris has been a vocal advocate for raising the minimum wage, expanding access to healthcare, and addressing climate change through investments in renewable energy. Unlike Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy, Harris supports tax reforms that ensure corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. Her economic policies focus on reducing inflation, creating jobs, and supporting working families and the middle class.
Harris also is a staunch supporter of justice, equality, and progress. Her climate policies are rooted in science and aim to protect the U.S. while maintaining a stable economy. She supports the right for abortion while it is now in jeopardy after Roe v. Wade was overturned, largely by Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices. Having also been a powerful ally for the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the face of rising anti-trans rhetoric and unprecedented legislation targeting transgender people that can have broad effects on everyone, Harris has committed to passing federal protections for trans Americans. Moreover, Harris is a proponent of criminal justice reform, including legalization of recreational drugs and reducing the mass incarceration that disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities.
In foreign policy, Kamala Harris has been a consistent advocate for democratic values on the global stage. In contrast to Trump’s proposal to end the war and effectively allowing Russia to emerge victorious, Harris has shown unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Unlike Trump, who gave credence to Russian propaganda, Harris understands the importance of a strong, democratic Europe and a secure, sovereign Ukraine.
When it comes to Gaza, Harris and the Democratic Party have shown a more balanced approach, recognizing the need for both Israeli security and Palestinian rights. Her leadership in the Middle East would strive for peace and human dignity for all parties involved, something Republicans utterly failed to grasp when proposing to completely eliminate the Palestinian people.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris represents the bright future that America can have—one where freedom, justice, and the rule of law take precedence. She stands out in her proposals for economic, social, and foreign policies that can give America the future it deserves. Trump wants to “Make America Great Again”, but his divisiveness, corruption, and authoritarian tendencies have shown otherwise. In 2024, the choice is clear.
