With Donald Trump’s reelection, many worry that his return to office will be dangerous, making current problems worse and creating a significant set of new ones. In 2016, Trump pushed for tax cuts that benefited the wealthy, sought to dismantle environmental protections, and proposed harsh immigration restrictions. Trump’s administration reimplemented healthcare regulations, limited access to women’s healthcare, and worked to undermine the Department of Education. These same policies could easily be implemented in a second term, with Trump’s continued disregard for democratic norms and his pattern of dishonesty potentially causing even more harm than before. During this time of concern, it is necessary to examine some of these dangers, determine how likely they are to occur, and paint a picture of what Trump might change over the next four years.
One of the most serious threats posed by a second Trump term is to the education system. In particular, Trump has promised to abolish the Department of Education, the federal agency in charge of overseeing public education, enforcing educational policies, and ensuring equal access to education nationwide. However, this concern may be overstated, as many experts believe Trump would never be able to make this a reality. According to the BBC, “Not only would Trump need congressional approval, but he would also probably need a supermajority — 60 out of 100 senators. While Republicans have a majority in the Senate, they do not have 60 members in the upper chamber, so they would need a few Democrats to vote to abolish the agency. There’s zero chance of that.” While a complete eradication of the Department of Education is unlikely, other realistic concerns exist, such as prospective public school budget cuts and a drive for a more conservative, restricted curriculum.
According to Acenet, in 2017, during his first term, Trump proposed a bill that would reduce the Department of Education’s total funding by $5.6 billion dollars while dedicating $5 billion in tax credits to the administration’s private school voucher scheme. In a country where eighty-three percent of children attend public schools, decreasing funding for these schools—while increasing funding for schools that charge tuition—would severely harm the ability of many public schools to provide quality education.
As a high school student, I am very concerned about what Trump’s policies may mean for me and my family. My little brothers attend public school, and I experience how much they love learning each day. The shifts Trump proposes may impact their future and their ability to understand the diverse history our world has endured. Moreover, Trump has expressed interest in changing not only the way schools are funded but also the curriculum itself.
Trump has promised that as president, he will end wokeness in education. According to AP News, “The president-elect wants to forbid classroom lessons on gender identity and structural racism. He wants to abolish diversity and inclusion offices. He wants to keep transgender athletes out of girls’ sports.” This proposal is problematic, as it seeks to restrict conversations about race, gender, and equality—discussions that are vital in reducing division in an increasingly polarized world. Trump’s approach undermines efforts to foster understanding and unity in our education system. Although Trump’s potential influence on private institutions is unclear, classes with content surrounding African American history, gender and sexuality, and Indigenous history could theoretically be eliminated from the curriculum of a public school.
Another significant concern in a second Trump term would be the continued restrictions of women’s rights, particularly in areas such as reproductive healthcare and protections against gender discrimination. Trump has consistently demonstrated an unapologetic embrace of misogyny, as seen in a Fox News Interview where he dismissed fellow candidate Carly Fiorina by saying, “I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?” This dismissive attitude toward women has carried over into his political agenda, where according to Women’s Health Magazine, his administration is already working to restrict access to abortion and attempting to weaken protections for women’s health. Additionally, per Inside Highered, Trump aims to end key policies like Title IX, which ensures gender equality in education and the workplace. Approaching his next term, Trump shows signs of planning to continue to undermine women’s autonomy and limit women’s freedom and healthcare.
Another critical area of concern in a second Trump term would be the environment, particularly with his track record of deregulation and support for the fossil fuel industry. Trump’s administration has already planned the dismantling of numerous environmental protections. Trump hopes to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, the climate law that is pouring more than $390 billion into electric vehicles, batteries, and other clean energy technology. According to the NYT, “Trump’s likely policies to encourage more drilling and burning of oil and gas would add four billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.” These actions would significantly exacerbate the climate crisis, undermining efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
While Trump’s first term already presented significant obstacles, his disregard for the truth and democratic norms has reached alarming new heights. Even after losing the 2020 election, Trump has never completely accepted defeat, instead Trump continues to promote false charges of voting fraud and in doing so weakens public faith in the political process. This pattern of dishonesty not only undermines trust in elections but also furthers a culture of disinformation.
Adding to this concern, while Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, an initiative by conservative groups aimed at reshaping government agencies to push a far-right agenda, many members of his team are actively involved in the project. Although per NPR, Trump claims, “we have nothing to do with Project 2025,” it’s hard to have faith in somebody with such a consistent record of dishonesty.
It’s important to recognize the dangers of Trump being in office to proactively address what is to come. A second term for Trump poses an immediate threat to our country. To save our democracy, the environment, and our rights, we must act now. Register to vote, support groups that advocate for change, and hold politicians accountable. The way we can proactively address what’s to come is by staying informed, mobilizing our communities, and ensuring that those in power are accountable to the people they serve.