𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗡: " A Disaster Caused by Power" by Coleen Anne P. Dolor

Published by: Marino Peralta

Date Published: February 11, 2025

Time Published: 9:30 AM

Donald Trump's presidency has been a highly controversial topic, with some hailing him as a champion of American greatness and others condemning him as a destructive force. It has just been a few days after Trump's presidential inauguration and he has already done more harm than good. His policies and actions have consistently prioritized the interests of the wealthy and powerful over those of the marginalized and vulnerable.

After Trump won on November 8, 2024, thousands of Americans were in tears, and even after the inauguration, people were protesting as the start of Trump's term. He already managed to target immigrants, pull America out of the World Health Organization, and deprive women of their rights over their own bodies regarding abortion. 

At the start of Trump's term he established the "zero-tolerance" policy, designed to increase the criminal prosecution of those who are found to be entering the country illegally. Unauthorized immigrant parents traveling with their children were soon being legally prosecuted and separated from their children, according to news outlets. Prior to President Donald Trump's June 20 executive order stopping family separation, about 3,000 children had been split up from their parents. [1]. This has led to the separation of thousands of families, causing irreparable harm to children and parents alike. Furthermore, Trump's rhetoric on immigration has been marked by racism and xenophobia, creating a toxic atmosphere that has emboldened white nationalists and further fueled hate crimes.

Additional to this is Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), which plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people. [2] This move has been widely criticized by health experts and world leaders, who argue that it will undermine global efforts to combat pandemics and promote public health.[3] The withdrawal from the WHO will not only greatly affect overall global health cooperation but also a reflection of Trump's "America First" ideology, which prioritizes national interests over international cooperation and global well-being.

But why is this so important? This is important as it has a big impact on our global situation including the philippines. Trump's presidency has been significant in the Philippines' economic state. The country has always been a key player in the global economy, and Trump's trade policies will have a major impact on Philippine exports. [4] Furthermore, the Philippines has been a major recipient of remittances from Filipino workers in America. [5]Trump's immigration policies have made it more difficult for these workers to send money back home. 

Additionally, Donald Trump's relentless crusade against reproductive rights has progressed with his latest efforts to ban abortion. Trump has effectively blocked federal funding for foreign organizations that provide or promote abortion services, impacting millions of patients worldwide. [6] This is outrageous, as it not only undermines women's rights over their own bodies but also jeopardizes their access to essential healthcare services, including contraception, maternal care, and HIV prevention and treatment. This blatant disregard for reproductive rights is another reminder of the devastating consequences of Trump's presidency.

In conclusion, Donald Trump's presidency has been a disaster not only in the United States but also the whole world. His policies have caused harm to marginalized communities, including Filipinos, and have undermined global efforts to promote public health and cooperation. We must hold our leaders accountable for their actions and demand that they prioritize the well-being of all people, not just the wealthy and powerful. Additionally, to each and every state we must encourage our leader to make amends with the US to further avoid problems that may reach lengths to the point of affecting us deeply. However, in the end it is still us the people who are capable of making the right decision and learn from the past and exercise better judgment in the future.

REFERENCES:

[1] Zero-Tolerance: The Trump administration’s human rights violations against migrants on the Southern Border - law review. (n.d.). Law Review. https://drexel.edu/law/lawreview/issues/Archives/v13-3/baker/ 

[2] World Health Organization: WHO. (2025, January 21). WHO comments on United States’ announcement of intent to withdraw. https://www.who.int/news/item/21-01-2025-who-comments-on-united-states--announcement-of-intent-to-withdraw 

[3] Park, A. (2025, January 22). What leaving the WHO means for the U.S. and the world. TIME. https://time.com/7208937/us-world-health-organization-trump-withdrawal/ 

[4] CEDTyClea. (2025, January 21). What Trump policies could bring for PHL. BusinessWorld Online. https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2025/01/22/648131/what-trump-policies-could-bring-for-phl/ 

[5] Statista. (2025, January 9). Annual value of outgoing and incoming remittance flow in Philippines 2021, by country. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382790/bilateral-remittances-philippines/#:~:text=For%20the%20Philippines%2C%20the%20top,United%20Arab%20Emirates%2C%20and%20Australia 

[6] Interview: Women’s Rights under Trump. (2024c, November 18). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/18/interview-womens-rights-under-trump