The United States of America has a new President and Vice President. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were officially inaugurated today. Let’s reflect on the Donald Trump leaving the Whitehouse, the shift of power, and what this means for America and for us as teens.
First of all, the Democrats now hold the majority and are in control of the House, the Senate, and now hold the office of the President. The last time this happened for the Democrats was 11 years ago. This is going to bring huge change in our government and is going to have a lasting impact for years to come. This is so important for teenagers in particular because our future will be determined by the next couple of years. Immigration, gun laws, health care, abortion, racism, climate change, and so many more issues are going to have to be addressed in the next four years. We don’t get to be apart of these decisions, however, they will impact us for years to come in the future. This is also going to determine what life will be like and what will be passed on in 2024 when many of us will be able to vote. If you are younger than you may be waiting for a little while longer, but even still, this will determine what the government will be like in the future.
This is also such a historical moment because Kamala Harris is the first woman to be Vice President and not to mention that she is a woman of color. This huge step toward having a woman hold the Presidency is going to inspire and drive the young women of America for years to come. Never before has a woman been this close to being the President. She is the highest ranked female elected official in U.S. history. Even if you don’t agree with her, you can still look to Vice President Harris and be inspired. She is doing what women years ago could only dream of. She is going to bring such a different perspective and change to the White House not only because she is a women but because she is a person of color.
Even though some Trump supporters threatened State Capitals they failed to follow through on their protests on Inauguration Day. Is this perhaps because people have learned their lessons after the horror of January 6th? If you are unfamiliar with the riots then you should go read my previous article. It’s possible that Trump getting impeached for the second time was just the kind of thing that was needed for people to see the consequence of their actions. After all, ten Republican Senators flipped their vote and went against their party, voting for Trump’s second impeachment.
All in all politics as a whole has changed so much in the past year. This pandemic has truly changed our day to day lives and has made us all question things. We have had to adapt and that is what is happening in politics. This shift of power was quite different not only due to the virus but also because Donald Trump did not going to inauguration and is in denial as to the results of the election. Only time will tell what he might due next: if he will ever concede and accept the vote, what legal action will be taken against him, and what his lasting impact will have on the country as a whole.
Our generation has had a front row seat in these crazy times and I can’t wait to see what we might do once we get a say in the government. Let’s learn from these past few years so we might lead the country with a better understanding of the past and eachother.
Sources-
NBC
Jan. 20, 2021
Trump supporters threatened state Capitols but failed to show on Inauguration Day
By Andrew Blankstein and Corky Siemaszko
The Atlantic
September 17, 2020
This Is the Future That Liberals Want
By Elaine Godfrey
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