How Trump’s Flurry of Executive Orders Could Impact North Carolina
The first week of Trump’s second term has been a storm of absurd statements and dangerous policies. We’ll highlight some of the most significant actions Trump took this week, and the impact they could have on North Carolina moving forward.
Attempting to Restrict Birthright Citizenship
Hours after swearing to protect the Constitution, Trump attempted to repeal the 14th Amendment. One of his executive orders revokes the guarantee that US-born children are citizens regardless of their parents’ immigration status, a move that 22 states sued to stop.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson quickly joined the lawsuit. “It was not a hard call from a legal standpoint as to whether or not this violates the Constitution,” Jackson said. “It plainly does.”
Around half a million immigrants call North Carolina home, of whom an estimated 325,000 are undocumented. A long legal battle is expected, with Trump’s executive order written to go into effect on February 19.
The Economy– Accelerating Climate Change and Raising Consumer Costs
Trump signed several executive orders on the economy, from increasing offshore drilling to revoking Biden’s 2022 executive order on lowering prescription drug costs.
Trump took aim at electric vehicle manufacturers, rescinding Biden’s EV targets and freezing funds for charging stations. This move could have a significant impact on North Carolina, which is becoming a leader in electric vehicle production and battery manufacturing. Trump’s efforts will not only increase the fossil fuel production that feeds climate change– it could cost thousands of North Carolinians their jobs.
Trump has also said that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin February 1, a severe tax increase that will likely be passed onto consumers across the country.
How We Can Fight Back
Amidst the storm of Trump’s second term, it’s reasonable (and at times, necessary) to hunker down. Trump’s early attacks on immigrant communities, transgender Americans, and political opponents are aimed at eroding our faith in government, as well as our faith in one another.
Our country is greater than one person or one administration. The strength that we want to see in government– to support one another, to protect our most vulnerable– comes from us.
Consider supporting people fighting for democracy, like Justice Allison Riggs who continues to fend off her opponent’s attempts to throw out the ballots of 60,000 voters in an effort to steal an election. Support organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, which will be among the national organizations leading the fight against MAGA’s anti-LGBTQ policies. Share this list of immigration resources, which outline the constitutional rights guaranteed to those being threatened with deportation.
It’s also okay to just sit down, have a beer, watch RuPaul’s Drag Race, listen to this Bishop dunk on Trump, call your mom, or stare at the ceiling– do whatever you can to take care of yourself so that we can continue caring for one another in the coming years.
