Why We Owe an Apology
President Trump’s first term was filled with numerous controversies and actions that many believe harmed the country. Here’s a reminder of some key events from his four years in office:
Inciting Violence and Mismanagement
- Incited an insurrection: Trump encouraged a violent attack on the government.
- Pandemic mismanagement: His handling of COVID-19 led to nearly half a million deaths.
- Separated families: Children were taken from their parents at the border and lost in the system.
Actions Against Peaceful Protesters
- Tear-gassed protesters: Peaceful demonstrators were tear-gassed for a photo op.
Discriminatory Policies
- Muslim ban: Tried to block all Muslims from entering the country.
- Banned transgender military service: Prevented transgender individuals from serving.
Impeachments and Legal Issues
- Impeached twice: Faced impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
- Pressured Ukraine: Tried to get Ukraine to find dirt on Joe Biden.
- Fired FBI director: Dismissed James Comey for investigating his ties to Russia.
Economic Failures
- Worst jobs record: Had the poorest job creation record of any modern president.
- Increased national debt: Added nearly $8 trillion to the national debt.
- High trade deficits: Recorded three of the highest annual trade deficits in U.S. history.
International Relations
- Trusted Putin over U.S. intelligence: Took Vladimir Putin’s word over American agencies.
- Longest government shutdown: Caused the longest shutdown in U.S. history over wall funding.
- Withdrew from global agreements: Pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate accords and the Iranian nuclear deal.
Racial and Social Issues
- Called Black Lives Matter a “symbol of hate”: Dismissed the movement for racial justice.
- Insulted various groups: Made derogatory remarks about African nations, Baltimore, and more.
Environmental Rollbacks
- Reduced protections: Rolled back regulations on mercury, asbestos, and coal waste.
Misleading the Public
- Lied nearly 30,000 times: Made numerous false statements during his presidency.
- Downplayed COVID-19: Privately acknowledged its severity but publicly minimized it.
Controversial Appointments
- Hired unqualified family members: Appointed his daughter and son-in-law to key positions.
- Nominated corrupt officials: Selected heads of EPA, HHS, and other departments with questionable ethics.
Attacks on Media and Democracy
- Called media “enemies of the people”: Frequently attacked journalists and news outlets.
- Refused to concede: Did not accept the results of the 2020 election.
- Blocked transition: Hindered the presidential transition process.
Miscellaneous Controversies
- Suggested injecting bleach: Proposed dangerous remedies for COVID-19.
- Held campaign rallies during pandemic: Organized large gatherings without safety measures.
- Used racist language: Referred to COVID-19 as the “China virus.”
Conclusion
These are just some of the reasons why many believe we owe an apology for the actions and decisions made during President Trump’s first term. It is important to remember these events as we move forward and strive for a better future.