This submit was initially printed on Defender Community
By Aswad Walker
The Nov. 2024 Election hand recount of votes in Rockland County, New York, however, former president Donald Trump defeated then Vice President Kamala Harris to grow to be the USA’ forty seventh Commander-in-Chief.
Nonetheless, after six months again in workplace, Trump has obtained criticism and condemnations from a whole bunch of hundreds of Individuals, together with lots of his personal supporters. Quite a few Trump insurance policies and pronouncements have been so unpopular and dangerous to folks’s well-being that many individuals have been asking the identical query. How would life in America be like now had former Vice President Kamala Harris gained the White Home?
Since taking workplace, many MAGA members assert Trump has stored his promise to deport all of the “illegals” (thus, making America safer), set a global affairs agenda that “rightfully” places America first and ended all vestiges of DEI, CRT and wokeness that have been destroying America.
Individuals on the opposite facet of the political aisle, together with nonpartisan students, researchers and others, provide a unique take. They contend there was an erosion of democratic establishments and norms, difficult the rule of regulation and undermining the independence of the Division of Justice. The nationwide debt has continued to rise below Trump’s second time period, including trillions of {dollars}, probably impacting the financial system for many years, in line with a number of specialists.
Additionally, surveys point out a decline in confidence in U.S. management and Trump’s dealing with of worldwide affairs in lots of international locations. Of explicit concern has been Trump’s threats directed at U.S. allies (particularly Canada and Greenland) and on-again, off-again, off-again tariffs utilized to numerous international locations.
“I’m extraordinarily involved concerning the route that the federal government is headed,” mentioned Tomayia Colvin, whose daughter was amongst those that had her USDA scholarship canceled after which reinstated. “Every single day it’s like – it may well’t probably be this unhealthy and growth, the Division of Training is letting go of individuals. Then topped off with youngsters shedding scholarships. It is a full catastrophe…”
“We’re exhausted—and it’s nonetheless early,” mentioned Prairie View A & M Affiliate Professor of Historical past, Malachi Crawford. “However I do fear that he’ll sow a lot discord that folk will simply grow to be immune till the injury has been completed.”
So, how would the state of the financial system, schooling, voting rights and extra be completely different had Harris gained final 12 months’s election and at the moment resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
Here’s a comparability of Trump’s insurance policies and actions on numerous points in comparison with Harris’s proposed actions on those self same points.
Voting Entry
Trump:
Eradicated DEIA applications, federal variety places of work, DEI terminology and rescinded federal enforcement round fairness.
Oversaw controversies over Voting Rights Act enforcement; tensions over federal oversight.
Harris (projected):
As Senator and VP, she advocated for voting rights protections, anti-discrimination enforcement and expansions of civil rights authorized instruments. Her platform was tied to defending racial justice, supporting DOJ oversight and preserving federal assist for minority communities.
Takeaway: Trump’s time period rolled again institutional assist for inclusion and fairness; Harris would possible have bolstered civil rights and voting entry protections.
Financial system & Tax Coverage
Trump:
Enacted the “One Massive Stunning Invoice Act,” a sweeping $3 trillion tax minimize favoring companies and the rich, whereas providing modest breaks for working-class people.
Oversaw main downsizing by “DOGE” (Division of Authorities Effectivity), decreasing the federal workforce and abolishing businesses equivalent to USAID and the CFPB.
Pew surveys confirmed widespread disapproval: 59% disapprove of tariff will increase, 55% disapprove of company cuts. Solely a 40% approval ranking general after ~100 days.
Harris (projected):
Advocated progressive tax coverage targeted on working households and racial fairness. Although particulars of her presidential platform have been restricted, Harris supported the Biden‑Harris agenda, together with expanded tax credit for low- and middle-income households and strengthened IRS enforcement for top earners (per Workplace of Kamala D. Harris).
Seemingly would have strengthened social applications and upheld or expanded Medicaid / ACA reasonably than slicing them.
Takeaway: Trump’s legacy more and more favored rich pursuits and diminished federal social infrastructure; Harris was anticipated to prioritize fairness and investing in working‑class and communities of colour.
Okay‑12 Training
Trump:
Below Mission 2025 pointers, Title I funding for low-income Okay‑12 (about $18B yearly) can be phased out over a decade. Particular schooling can be transformed into block grants or parental financial savings accounts, with fewer federal checks and balances.
The U.S. Division of Training can be dismantled, shifting oversight and civil rights enforcement to states—elevating considerations about uneven protections for weak college students.
Government Order 14190 (“Ending Radical Indoctrination”) bans instructing important race concept, gender ideology and empowers federal regulation enforcement to prosecute educators supporting transgender youth. Noncompliant districts danger shedding funding.
Self-discipline steerage rescinds Biden-era efforts to cut back racial disparities, as a substitute favoring strict behavior-based insurance policies over equity-minded approaches.
Harris (projected):
The 2024 Democratic platform, which Harris championed, supported full funding of the People with Disabilities Training Act—shifting towards the federal purpose of overlaying 40% of per‑pupil spending for particular schooling.
Emphasis on social-emotional helps, tutoring, and persistent absenteeism restoration—as utilized in submit‑COVID investments—although particulars on continuation previous aid funds have been much less express.
Seemingly continuation of enforcement of civil rights in colleges, assist for built-in school rooms, and racial fairness coaching, as constant along with her file and Biden‑Harris insurance policies.
Takeaways: With the Trump-induced potential lack of Title I assist will come fewer particular schooling safeguards, shrinking DEI programming in colleges, and heightened vulnerability to punitive self-discipline insurance policies focusing on Black and LGBTQ college students. Harris’s insurance policies counsel larger assist for Black college students and neighborhoods, sustained particular schooling and equity-focused interventions, and continued federal civil rights enforcement.
Commerce & Immigration
Trump:
Instituted sweeping tariffs: 25% on Canada and Mexico, 10% on China and later escalations, together with 50% on metal imports. Paused agreements conditionally amid escalating tensions and inventory market volatility often known as “Liberation Day.”
Ordered finish to birthright citizenship; court docket blocks adopted (federal appeals dominated it unconstitutional).
Initiated what specialists name the “largest mass deportation in historical past,” terminated immigration protections, ideological screening of entrants and is making an attempt to finish birthright citizenship,
Harris (projected):
Supported immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, protections for DACA recipients, and humane enforcement. Harris persistently opposed mass deportations. Her platform emphasised compassionate border coverage and preserving birthright citizenship. Although particular platform quotes are fewer, she aligned with the Biden administration’s stance in opposition to Trump’s hardline government orders, per the Council on International Relations.
Takeaway: Trump’s second time period has been marked by aggressive deportations and protectionist commerce. Harris would have possible emphasised authorized reform, focusing closely on civil rights and fairness.
Let the Folks be Heard
Danyahel Norris
“DEI wouldn’t be unlawful, the federal authorities would nonetheless be absolutely funded, and there wouldn’t be tariff impressed commerce wars, extra billionaire tax breaks or a possible recession.”
Renee Hawk
“We might sleep at night time”
DeeDee LaShore
“Perhaps that orange idiot may really see some handcuffs.”
Jocilyn Portuondo
“Consider Obama and Biden’s time in workplace … however very strict and nurturing… oh, and there’d be numerous bloodshed… You thought Jan 6 was a factor!”
KaRa Ma’at
“Mission 2025 wouldn’t be in impact. Mission Esther wouldn’t be in its Starting Phases. All of the rebel sycophants that have been pardoned wouldn’t be terrorizing the streets. Our troopers wouldn’t be policing our cities.”
