Since Donald Trump's reelection to the presidency in January, there have been steady and consistent headlines surrounding his recent executive orders. From renaming the Gulf of Mexico to bringing independent federal agencies under the executive branch's control, Trump has made a consistent effort to expand the power of the presidency. However, the power and strength of the presidency never stemmed from its absolute power but rather from a shared and balanced system of governmental order. Already in his first few weeks, it seems that Trump has readopted the policy of his first term: sign and ask questions later. Trump no longer concerns himself with his actions’ legality, morality or ethical nature. Instead, he signs and delays the consequences.
On February 14, the Department of Education distributed a memo reflecting the Trump administration’s desire to end DEI policies nationwide. The memo, sent to schools ranging from primary to the collegiate level across the country, warned that schools have 14 days to comply with the elimination of DEI initiatives or face the removal of government-funded programs like Title IV, student loans and free or reduced lunch programs. In doing so, the government has sent a clear message to educators nationwide: you are regulated and controlled by the government. For an administration that claims to be defending central tenants of the GOP, including that of small government, this seems inherently contradictory. How is it that a Trump administration can appear to support the idea of less government restriction and interference yet continually roll out policies that increase the extent of government oversight?
Furthermore, the limited timespan given for schools to comply with the order causes chaos for people who rely on those policies. It forces educators to fundamentally reevaluate their principles and programs in the span of 14 days or face the consequences of non-compliance. It also threatens millions of dollars in funding for the training of teachers and impacts students' ability to understand the state of their financial aid.
The Trump administration's opposition to DEI initiatives is not only a moral injustice, but it also damages the very fabric of American education. Diversity of perspectives, beliefs and experiences is a critical part of creating a complex and successful learning environment. The removal of programs that support diversity has ramifications on all people, even those not directly impacted by the policy. Everyone loses when exclusionary policies work to inhibit the ability of people to communicate and grow as a learning community. A core tenet of the Notre Dame mission involves providing a forum where students can engage with each other in free inquiry and open discussion. DEI initiatives are a critical part of allowing for the creation of this forum.
In more recent news, Trump has also moved to consolidate power under the executive branch. In an executive order, Trump designated that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) are no longer shielded from the control of the White House. These agencies will now have to regularly communicate and engage in conversation with the White House regarding policy and future actions. This serves as a clear message from Trump that loyalty to him is more important than loyalty to governance and the nation itself. Without objective and unbiased regulatory agencies, the executive branch is free to become more and more unchecked.
Ultimately, for an administration that claims to be producing ”American values”, these recent executive orders and directives seem to be eliminating central aspects of the American identity. The United States is meant to be a complex melting pot of different cultures, identities and perspectives. Thus, the elimination of programs that stand and support those values must be inherently anti-American. Furthermore, Trump's continued increase of executive powers reflect a stark change in the image of the nation, moving from a country known for checks and balances, to a place where the power of an individual trumps all else.
Declan is a surviving biochemistry major at the University of Notre Dame. He is usually trying to figure out how to work the printer. Contact at dburke7@nd.edu.
