On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump was elected president for a second term, becoming the first convicted felon ever elected. After a four-year intermission, and Trump claiming the 2020 election was rigged, he ran and defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. On the other side of Congress, the Senate was flipped Republican, while the House of Representatives majority party is still up in the air (as of Nov. 6). 

Although the presidential branch carries a large amount of power, in order to get a law passed, a bill has to go through the House and Senate before it can be signed by the president. This means if the House also falls to a Republican majority, Republicans will have full majority control over Congress and higher power over lawmaking. 

However, we don’t know what the future holds. In terms of the current outcomes of the election, Trump being elected president means much more than just the passing of a torch. It means that his allegations (24 and counting) for sexual assault all disappear, telling America that a rapist can be president. On January 6, 2021, Trump encouraged an insurrection where rioters stormed the capital– an attempt to overthrow the government that he will soon be in charge of. Our country chose to vote in a man who has said misogynistic, racist, Islamaphobic, homophobic, ableist statements time and time again to run this country.

Garfield students,  

Many of us are feeling discouraged about the outcome of the election and frustrated that most students couldn’t vote. We want to remind you that Washington has always been a progressive state and has representatives that will continue to fight for reproductive freedom, environmental care, access to healthcare, etc. However, your voice does matter, you can exercise your rights and protect what you care about. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to stay true to your own values and stances. Voice your opinions, encourage people to vote, call representatives, advocate for what you care about. While this moment may feel daunting, our country has faced and fought adversity many times before to fight for human rights.