IMMIGRATION: KAMALA HARRIS
By Isabella Marasco:
Vice President Kamala Harris has a specific take on the topic of immigration in America. According to the Washington Post, Harris supports an earned pathway to citizenship and wants to revive the tough border compromise law that would close loopholes and give the president more authority to shut down the border (Sacchetti, 2024). Harris and her committee have
complex stances on undocumented individuals, migrant families, and a variety of other topics. This analysis will break down the different topics and provide context.
To begin, Harris has views on the overall topic of deporting undocumented citizens. In 2020, when running for president, Harris declared that she would close private immigration detention centers, limit deportations, and fight for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants (Sacchetti, 2024). However, in 2024, things look slightly different. Her campaign team has stated that her position on border crossings is the same as the Biden administration’s, and that unauthorized border crossings are illegal. In fact, at the Democratic National Convention in August, Harris said, “We can create an earned pathway to citizenship and secure
our border.”
Harris also hopes to bring back the bipartisan border security bill. This bill would allow the Department of Homeland security to exercise a new emergency authority that bars migrants, except unaccompanied minors, from crossing the border between ports of entry. This would come into play if border crossings would rise above 5,000 on average per day on a given week,
or 8,500 in one day (Shoichet, 2024). Harris has apparently called the current immigration system “broken” multiple times and has called for reform. This specifically involves earned pathways to citizenship.
Additionally, Harris also holds views on migrant families and asylum seekers in terms of immigration. In terms of migrant families, Harris believes that families should stay together. In 2019, Harris called Trump’s family separation policy a “human rights abuse” (Sacchetti, 2024). However, since then, her 2024 campaign has not commented specifically on this issue. On the topic of refugees and asylum seekers, the Harris campaign for 2024 did comment on views for this. In June of 2024, announced plans to curb access to asylum at the border when illegal border crossings rise to emergency levels. While her committee has commented on this, Harris herself has not (Sacchetti, 2024).
Overall, there seems to be a diluted image on Harris’s stance on immigration. It appears to have changed over the years as varying comments have been made. However, one thing is clear and that is the fact Harris supports some semblance of immigration control for America
IMMIGRATION: DONALD TRUMP
By Owen Mcfarland
Former President Trump has spent a lot of his time campaigning about immigration. Often saying the Biden-Harris administration was weak when it came to this matter. The former president plans to start with the largest deportation operation which will include militarizing the U.S.-Mexico border and authorizing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry
out raids and deport anyone who did not enter the country legally. Trump has also said that he will deploy the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border to arrest anyone who is trying to enter the country illegally.
The former president also has vowed to end birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants who entered the country illegally. He also plans to require migrants to stay in Mexico while their asylum case is being reviewed. Trump has also pledged to suspend refugee admissions from the Middle East.
The only policy the former President has mentioned to increase immigration is automatic green cards for those who graduate from U.S. colleges or universities. Along with these policies he is vowing to be the toughest President on illegal
immigration and continues to fight for the Wall to be built. “On my first day back in office, I will terminate every open border policy of the Biden administration and immediately the full set of strong Trump border policies,” said former President Trump.
To read more on Trump’s stance on Immigration, see:
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/caucus/2024/01/03/donald-trump-
joe-biden-border-disaster/72093156007/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-platform-policy-positions-2024/
https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2024/trump-vs-harris-immigration-future-policy-
Proposals
ECONOMY: KAMALA HARRIS
By Casey Erlewein
Vice President Kamala Harris has consistently framed inflation and the rising cost of living as pressing issues that demand comprehensive government intervention. She acknowledges the burden of higher prices, particularly in everyday essentials like food, housing, and energy, which she believes disproportionately affects working families. Harris has positioned the Biden administration’s approach as distinct from the policies of former President Donald Trump, emphasizing a commitment to addressing these issues through both short-term relief and long-term structural reforms. Harris supports government action that directly benefits middle- and lower-income Americans. She points to the Inflation Reduction Act as a critical piece of legislation designed to alleviate inflationary pressures. Harris argues that the law’s provisions—such as capping prescription drug costs, particularly insulin, and incentivizing clean energy investments—are crucial to addressing both inflation and the cost of living. These policies, she argues, put money back in the pockets of families while also promoting broader economic sustainability. Harris also contrasts the Biden administration’s approach to inflation with Trump’s handling of economic issues. Under Trump, there was a focus on reducing taxes for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, which Harris argues disproportionately benefited the rich and did little to ease inflation for ordinary citizens. In contrast, she advocates for policies that she believes would directly reduce financial burdens on the middle class, such as expanding affordable healthcare, increasing access to child care, and boosting the minimum wage. Harris has been a vocal proponent of these measures, arguing that they are essential not just for immediate relief but for reducing income inequality over the long term.
Furthermore, Harris views federal intervention during economic disparities as vital. She has highlighted the need for government investments in infrastructure, education, and worker’s rights to ensure a more equitable economy. Harris sees these efforts as crucial for addressing the root causes of inflation—such as wage stagnation and a lack of affordable housing—and for building a stronger, more resilient economic foundation. For more information on Harris’ stance on the Economy, see:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/08/16/statement-
from-vice-president-kamala-harris-on-the-inflation-reduction-act-anniversary/
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/harris-puts-government-intervention-at-heart-of-
economic-policy-f6bdc459
https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-has-economic-plan-that-will-work-middle-
class-opinion-1961428
ECONOMY: DONALD TRUMP
By Owen McFarland
Former President Donald Trump has been campaigning against the American people’s ability to survive four more years in this economy. Trump is proposing to end inflation although some argue that adding tariffs on imported goods may raise inflation. Trump plans to add tariffs on imported goods which he says will end up helping U.S. manufacturers. Trump claims the tariffs will benefit the domestic automobile industry, American steel, aluminum and the defense industries.
A major point in Trump’s economic plan is to cut taxes for everyone. Part of this plan is to eliminate tips, overtime, and social security taxes. Vice-Presidential candidate JD Vance has proposed raising the child tax credit from $2,000 to $5,000. Trump also plans to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which cuts taxes for all. Trump also wants to lower corporate taxes to 15% and has said that he will “slash energy and electricity prices in half” within the first 18 months of his presidency. One way Trump plans to do this is by increasing oil production using emergency powers to increase output. Trump plans to eliminate spending on the Green New Deal and take that money to be set aside for the Inflation Reduction Act. Trump plans to invest back into American industries to create more jobs and keep these jobs in the U.S. He is prioritizing the American companies over the global powers. “A combination of fair trade, tax cuts, regulatory cuts, and energy abundance will allow us to
produce more goods, better and cheaper, right here in the U.S.A,” he said.
To read more on Trump’s stance on the economy, see:
https://www.investopedia.com/donald-trump-economic-plan-what-you-need-to-know-8707129
https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/trump-campaign-policy-proposals-
2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2023/presidential-candidates-2024-policies-
issues/donald-trump-economic-policy/
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-08-14/trump-lays-out-economic-
plan-everything-from-cutting-taxes-paying-off-the-debt-to-drill-baby-drill
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-platform-policy-positions-2024/
CLIMATE CHANGE: KAMALA HARRIS
By Caden McCrory
As current vice president, Kamala Harris has always had a strong opinion on climate change and how it actively affects today’s world. She views this issue as a sense of public health and not just an environmental issue. As a constant advocate, she has supported domestic policies and international agreements surrounding climate change. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act allocated $369 billion for cleaner energy that would be more effective. Harris was a large vocal supporter of this act which also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in the next 15 years. Harris also supported a $1.2 trillion change in infrastructure that included reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a U.S. senator, Harris introduced the Climate Equity Act to ensure that any major climate or environmental legislation would be assessed for its impact on vulnerable populations. She also supported the rejoining of the Paris Climate Agreement that occurred on the first day of office for Biden’s administration. Harris also believes having all the world leaders in agreement can sooner combat climate change and that the United States should be the trendsetter. Harris once supported a ban on hydraulic fracking but has since retracted that statement to lower reliance on foreign oil which causes some to question her loyalty to her previous statements and ideas. Environmental activists have also given broad support but wish the processes were faster.Kamala Harris has a climate change stance that involves renewable energy, electric transportation, and cleaner gas emissions. Her focus is to get other countries to also join in this ideology and fix a worldwide problem.
CLIMATE CHANGE: DONALD TRUMP
By Garrett Walker
Former President Donald Trump’s stance on climate change in the 2024 election is marked by a blend of skepticism about the scientific consensus and a focus on economic priorities. Throughout his campaign, he has argued that the climate agenda pushed by many Democrats poses a real threat to American jobs and economic growth. He believes that strict regulations
aimed at cutting carbon emissions would lead to job losses in vital industries like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are essential for many communities across the country.
At a rally in September 2024, Trump reiterated his opposition to the Green New Deal, calling it an unrealistic proposal that would impose hefty costs on American taxpayers while failing to effectively tackle climate change. Instead, he champions energy independence, promoting the extraction and use of domestic fossil fuels. Trump emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong energy sector, arguing that reliance on Traditional energy sources not only supports the economy but also ensures energy security. Despite his critical stance on mainstream climate initiatives, Trump has acknowledged the need for clean air and water. He proposes alternative approaches to environmental protection, such as focusing on innovation and technology rather than heavy-handed regulations. Trump believes that market-driven solutions, rather than government mandates, are key to achieving
environmental goals. He often highlights advancements in energy technologies as a way to reduce emissions while also boosting the economy.
However, Trump’s environmental record during his presidency has faced significant criticism. His administration rolled back many regulations designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions, including the Clean Power Plan and vehicle emissions standards. Critics argue that these actions have made climate change worse and stalled progress toward reducing the U.S. carbon
footprint. Trump has dismissed climate change as a hoax, framing discussions around it as attempts by political opponents to undermine economic growth.
As the 2024 election draws near, Trump continues to connect with voters who prioritize economic stability over environmental regulations. His stance resonates particularly with those in states dependent on fossil fuels, where concerns about job security often outweigh the urgency for climate action. Trump’s message focuses on a vision of prosperity through energy independence, appealing to a base that remains wary of aggressive climate policies and their potential impact on the economy.
SECOND AMENDMENT/GUN CONTROL: DONALD TRUMP
By Erica Norotsky
Former President and current Presidential candidate Donald Trump has had somewhat of a mixed record on guns. During his time in office in 2016 he reversed some Obama-era policies that restricted gun ownership, including an executive order meant to make it harder for people with mental illness to buy guns. But after a gunman armed with bump stocks killed 58 people in Las Vegas, Trump directed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to reclassify the devices as machine guns, effectively banning them. (Beauvais, 2024, para. 14 ). Overall, even though Trump has had mixed policies on gun control his personal stance on the second amendment has been pretty consistent. At the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in 2023 Trump said, “I was proud to be the most pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment president you’ve ever had in the White House, and with your support in 2024, I will be your loyal friend and fearless champion once again as the 47th president of the United States.” (Allen, 2023, para. 2). Trump also went on to say that the mass shootings in America are not a gun
problem, they are a mental health, social, cultural, and spiritual problem. (Allen, 2023, para. 8). So, he feels there is no need to put stricter policies on gun control. It is also very hard to find where Trump actually speaks about how he would change or not change policies regarding the 2nd amendment if he were reelected.
Trump later went on to say that every single “attack” Joe Biden put on gun owners and manufacturers would be terminated during his first week or even first day back in office if he were to get reelected. (Smith, 2024, para. 2). If Trump was reelected, experts expect him to resist new restrictions on gun ownership. They also say that he would more than likely support measures to expand concealed-carry rights, including allowing permit holders to carry their firearms across state lines without licensing. (Beauvais, 2024, para. 16 ).
STUDENT LOANS: KAMALA HARRIS
By Erica Norotsky
The current Vice-President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris has vowed to keep fighting for student debt forgiveness. Kamala Harris has had a similar stance to Joe Biden when it comes to loan forgiveness so we will more than likely see similar policies from her if she is elected. The Biden-Harris Administration has implemented several aid programs that have
contributed to total debt relief. Kamala Harris has said if she becomes president, she will build on these policies, working to provide widespread student debt relief for millions of borrowers by expanding programs like income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. (Bendig, 2024, para. 8).
These programs target borrowers who are, “facing financial hardship, holding balances greater than the initial amount borrowed due to accrued interest, those who are eligible for forgiveness but have not yet applied, those who have been in repayment for 20 years and borrowers who attended institutions that show low financial value.” (Bendig, 2024, para. 9). Harris recently said on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that she is fighting to defend the Biden-Harris administrations SAVE Plan which intends to offer borrowers relief by lowering the required monthly payments on federal loans from 10 percent to 5 percent of a person’s discretionary income. People who earn, “less than 225 percent of the federal poverty line, which is set at $32,800 a year, and would not be required to make payments on loans.” (Lewis, 2024, para. 6). Along with people who have loan balances of $12,000 or less will be cleared after 10 years of on-time payments. Harris has said that she will not stop fighting to build an economy that
works for every American. (Lewis, 2024, para. 6).
In Harris’s first bid for the Oval Office in 2019 she put forward a very different idea regarding student loan forgiveness than Biden and other candidates did. She proposed only wiping the debt of Pell Grant recipients who start successful businesses that benefit disadvantaged communities. But she has changed her views on this since becoming Vice President. Harris has been on board with Biden’s numerous plans to tackle student debt over the last four years, having raised the current administration's record on tackling mounting student debt. (Higham, 2024, para. 6). Harris plans to continue these policies to help people with loan forgiveness.
ABORTION:KAMALA HARRIS
By Joshua Woodman
Kamala Harris, the incumbent Vice President of the United States and Democratic Nominee for President of the United States, has ran her campaign so far on the platform of Women’s rights and their right of abortion. After Roe V. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, Harris came to the defense of the millions of women who’ve lost their choice of their bodies, and has since said
if elected that she would make her main goal to reinstate the bill. As a senator, Harris supported and co-sponsored a bill that would restrict states from putting restrictions and rules on abortion. When it comes to medication that might aid in abortion, Harris has stood steadfast on that too, supporting any and all medication that could help women in the process, with the Supreme Court also supporting Harris and current President Joe Biden’s policy on the matter. In terms of time frame on the termination of a fetus’s life, Harris’ claim on reinstating Roe v. Wade would allow for the termination to be up to 22 weeks. Harris also
opposed legislation in the past that would make abortion illegal when a female was 20 weeks or over.
Harris and her VP pick Tim Walz have said throughout their campaign that they want to leave the choice over a woman’s body to a woman. Famously, Harris questioned former president Donald Trump’s supreme court nominee, Brett Cavanaugh on the matter, asking him “Can you think of any laws that give the government the power to make decisions about the male body?”
Kavanaugh responded “I can’t think of any.” With the sentiment that it’s up to Women to make choices about their body, not the government, Walz also has mentioned his and Kamala’s golden rule of minding your own business when it comes to other’s decisions about their body.
While Trump has shifted stances multiple times about his policy on abortion, Kamala Harris has remained stone walled on her stance, making sure all rights are available to women and with the choice falling to them, no matter the circumstances. Harris, along with the backing of her party and VP pick, has continually said that people should “mind their own business” when it
comes to these women’s decisions, and that no one, including the government, should block them.
ABORTION: DONALD TRUMP
By Elizabeth Priester
One of the big issues this upcoming election is the issue of abortion. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, it has become more of an important issue for candidates to convey their views. Former President Donald Trump has stated publicly that he is proud of the ruling and takes a sense of responsibility for the Supreme Court’s decision. He believes that abortion should be left for the states to decide. He continues to be a major proponent for states to pass laws they deem fit for their citizens in regard to this. When asked if he would sign a national abortion ban during the 2024 Presidential Debate, he denied he would. He doubled down on abortion being a state issue now and not a federal issue. Even after the debate, Trump continues to say it is now a state’s rights issue and not the federal government’s issue.
When it comes to the procedure itself, the Former President believes that Late Term Abortion should not be an option. He is adamantly against it. During the 2024 Presidential Debate, he made it clear that the only exceptions to receiving an abortion should be rape, incest, and the health of the mother. Even though Trump’s policies do not support abortions, they do continue to support Prenatal Care, Birth Control access, and IVF treatments according to his website.
In recent months, the Former President’s opinion on abortion has swayed from what other members of his party believe. When asked about Florida’s 6 week ban during an interview, he clearly stated that it is too short. He doesn’t think that that is long enough, and wanted more weeks added on to it. This deviates from what fellow Republican Politicians believe and stand for.
Overall, the Former President’s view on abortion is clear. He doesn’t support Late Term abortion, and he firm in his belief that abortion is a state’s rights issue and not one that the federal government has a say in anymore. The only exceptions he deems acceptable are rape, incest, and health of the mother. Abortion, accordioning to his polices, isn’t something people have to worry about on the federal level. It is something that the states are responsible for now.
FOREIGN POLICY: DONALD TRUMP
By Zayn Farooq
Since his election to the Executive Office in 2016, Former President Donald Trump has had a relatively consistent foreign affairs policy, focusing on the GOP platforms of “America First” and “peace through strength”. The platform focuses on “strengthen[ing] and moderniz[ing] our military, making it, without question, the strongest and most powerful in the world” by implementing new advanced technology and creating an “Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield” over the mainland United States. The policy also calls for “countering China, defeating terrorism…and gett[ing] woke Leftwing Democrats fired as soon as possible”. As President, Trump leaned into his isolationist “America First” policies, proclaiming “A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well, frankly, not caring about our country so much. And you know what? We can’t have that”. He withdrew the United States from a number of treaties including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris Agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and
the Human Rights Council on the basis that these agreements prevented the United States from pursuing industry and manufacturing at home. He further pursued a restructured and updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which was agreed upon by both the Mexican President and the Canadian Prime Minister. In 2018, Trump initiated a trade war with China, setting tariffs on Chinese goods imported to the U.S. in order to force China to accept trade terms more agreeable to the United States. Although an agreement was reached in 2020, many of these tariffs are still in place, and the trade war has widely been considered unsuccessful.
Specifically in regard to international conflicts, Trump led the U.S. in the signing of the Doha Agreements with the Taliban negotiating the end of the war in Afghanistan and the eventual withdrawal of U.S troops. On the issue of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war would not have broken out in the first place had he been in
office, and that he would end the war within twenty-four hours of being elected President, although he has not indicated how he would accomplish this. As President, Trump was criticized for his personal ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he has praised in the past, after he indicated that he would trust Putin’s word over United States intelligence agencies on the
investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. When asked about the current conflict between Israel and Palestine, and brewing tensions in the Middle East in general, Trump criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the situation and its appeals to Israel for a ceasefire, saying “Harris has worked to tie Israel’s hand behind its back, demanding
an immediate cease-fire, always demanding cease-fire”, and encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “Have victory, get your victory and get it over with. It has to stop.” Trump has indicated that as President, he would grant Israel full American support in their war in Palestine.
HOUSING CRISIS: KAMALA HARRIS
By Finn Lyons
Ever since restrictions from the COVID-19 lockdown lightened, America has seemling has had a housing crisis. Since entering the race Vice President Kamala Harris has begun to lay out her plans for how to tackle the ever-increasing housing crisis. Vice President Harris has already worked on helping the current housing crisis in her time as Biden’s Vice President, and she plans to expand on policies she has already worked on. Vice President Harris plans to double the Biden-Harris proposed innovation fund for local initiatives to solve housing issues. She plans to add a million extra homes to President Biden’s two million proposed home construction plan. Under the Biden-Harris administration, there have already been 5.5 million new housing units created. If Harris is able to institute her plan to add one million housing units to the already existing plan, she would add a 50% increase to housing since Biden took office.
Vice President Harris has brought her own ideas to the table for the housing crisis if she is elected in November. She would introduce a new tax incentive for building starter homes, she would expand a 40 million dollar tax incentive for businesses that build affordable rental housing, she would grant 25 thousand dollars to first-time homeowners for a down payment,
and she would cut red tape, and streamline permitting processes to get houses up quicker. Vice President Harris would of course face obstacles in completing her housing goals.
Firstly, depending on how the congressional and senatorial elections pan out, Harris could face opposition from a closely contested Congress and Senate. On top of this local leaders may object to how the federal government wants to zone their land. Often times the federal government has a difficult time getting local leaders to agree to zoning proposals, and this could
halt the extra million houses she promises, on top of the already promised two million.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/23/kamala-harris-housing-plan-
3-million-units/75260527007/
https://time.com/7020243/kamala-harris-donald-trump-housing-policy
HUMAN RIGHTS: DONALD TRUMP
By Jess McCullough
Donald Trump’s position on human rights has remained mostly the same since he first entered
office in 2016. Trump’s primary issue has always been immigration, and with that, a certain amount of human
rights is at play. While illegal immigrants are not full citizens, they still retain rights, especially thanks to local and state legislation that protects them from arrest and deportation within specific cities. Also known as “sanctuary cities,” these cities are homes to thousands of immigrants, and this legislation is given due to the turbulent nature that many arrive in the U.S., with many escaping harrowing or potentially dangerous situations in their home country. Trump has several times over called for a ban of sanctuary cities, and wants to further jeopardize immigrants within U.S. borders.
Another prong of Trump’s extreme law-and-order approach is his support of capital punishment. Under Trump, federal executions for death row inmates started again, with over 30 executions in his first term as president. Trump has also called for, in recent appearances, the death penalty for drug dealers. Many of his thoughts on capital punishment use violates international
human rights laws, however Trump remains staunch in his approach towards the death penalty. Trump has also repeatedly bashed voting rights and efforts to protect them. Over the course of the 2020 election, Trump proclaimed that more protections needed to be in place for any individual to vote. This stance, as well as his appointment of three new Supreme Court justices
led to rollbacks within the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the famous bills of the Civil Rights era. This bill, which primarily protects the voting rights of minorities and people of color, has lost many of the protections that it once held and many disenfranchised citizens may not be able to vote easily thanks to the rollback on these protections.
Of course, Trump’s track record with LGBTQ rights is no better. With a hardline attitude against transgender individuals in the military, Trump also oversaw rollbacks to gender-affirming care nationwide, and continues to fight against gender-affirming care being administered to students. Much of this, however, is under the guise of keeping “men out of women’s sports,” a key component of his campaign that is featured prominently on his website. He has also championed and endorsed governors and other state-level legislators who are cut access to gender-affirming care even further. Trump’s position on human rights across the board is to repeal protections against who he deems a threat to the country. He wants to take away protections from illegal immigrants who are defrauding the system in his view. He will stall the voting rights of minorities due to what he believes were unsafe voting practices in 2020. He will also seek to strip transgender citizens of their ability to access care in order to keep the sanctity of women’s sports safe.
For more on Trump’s stance on human rights, see:
https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-trump-voting-rights/
https://donaldjtrump.com/platform
https://www.npr.org/2023/05/10/1152847242/trump-campaign-execute-drug-dealers-smugglers-
traffickers-death-row
https://campaignlegal.org/update/supreme-courts-impact-voting-rights-threat-democracy
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4892401-trump-proposes-sanctuary-cities-legislation/
EDUCATION: DONALD TRUMP
By Brooke Hart
Former President, and current Presidential candidate, Donald Trump feels very strongly about the educational system within the United States. Donald Trump is not pleased with the current education system, and has even gone as far to say that he will close the U.S. Department of Education if he is re-elected as president. Through this analysis, there will be a
deeper understanding of how Donald Trump feels about the American education system. Donald Trump has held a pretty stable opinion on the state of the education system for the entirety of his political career.
In a 2024 interview on the social media platform X, Trump states, “ I want to close up the Department of Education, move education back to the states.”This corroborates his statements made in 2016. According to an NPR article posted in 2016, Donald Trump says “I’m a tremendous believer in education. But education has to be at a local level, we cannot have the bureaucrats in Washington telling you how to manage your child’s education.” This shows that Trump does not believe that the Government has a place in education, and wants to make that a reality.
Donald Trump strongly believes in choice when it comes to education in America. One of his ideas is to call for something called a universal school choice. According to NPR, by using the universal school choice model it would redirect the Government money that would normally be dispersed to the school, to be dispersed to the parents of these children to spend to educate their children. Trump also believes in a school system where teachers and principals are hired and fired by the parents of the students of the school. “If any principal is not getting the job done, the parents should be able to vote and fire them and select someone who will. This is the ultimate form of local control.”
It is not apparent that Donald Trump is going to change his opinion on the education system in America. It is apparent that Donald Trump wants education to be a state matter, and redirect funds from the Department of Education right to the parents of the children attending school.
For more information on Trump’s stance on education, see:
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/08/nx-s1-5103698/trump-harris-election-platforms-
education-views
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/25/494740056/donald-trumps-plan-for-
americas-schools
