Trump’s big accomplishment
A recent column suggested that Donald Trump’s accomplishments should be praised. Presidents take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” George Bush and Barack Obama believed their greatest responsibility was to protect the American people. Other presidents have prioritized national security. Despite Trump saying on February 27, 2020 “It’s going to disappear” he left office with 24,255,934 Covid cases and 402,269 deaths (nearly equal to the number of American soldiers who died in WWII). For the masses, he mentioned using bleach and disinfectants, but when he got Covid, he received a variety of life saving medicines. Due to his disregard for science and lack of action early on to close European flights coming into the U.S. well over 1.1 million Americans have succumbed to Covid. Next, under Trump, handgun production rose 12.5%, murders and aggravated assaults shot up dramatically, and there were mass shootings including the deadliest one in U.S. history in Las Vegas. Combatting gun violence was not a priority because the NRA had illegally funneled $35 million to Republican candidates including Trump, according to the Campaign Legal Center. After losing the 2020 election, Trump incited a riot on January 6 at the Capitol resulting in nine deaths. His own vice president’s life was in danger because he refused to overturn the election so he could stay in power. This is all quite an accomplishment. Trump’s actions and words as president were deadly and reckless. Regardless of what a president deems as his/her job, we should prefer one who makes saving American lives a priority.