Hillary Clinton’s loss sparked protests and outrage in cities across the country, but the people’s disappointment does not stop with Donald Trump winning the White House — the Republican Party will effectively control the three branches of government.
Despite losing the popular vote, Trump secured more than enough electoral votes to conquer the presidential race. Republicans also won out the House of Representatives and the Senate, while dominating Congress, at least for two years. With the Supreme Court divided between four liberal and four conservative justices, the right-winged legislature can easily get one of its own to tilt the balance in its favor.
After Inauguration Day, Democrats will be leaving federal buildings in droves, wondering if their hard work will remain intact. While Trump campaigned to have the Affordable Care Act, a prized accomplishment of President Barack Obama, repealed upon taking office, he recently said parts of it may stick around.
Trump met with Obama within 48 hours of winning his bid for presidency and then said he may keep parts of the healthcare plan, according to The New York Times (NYT). About 22 million Americans are insured via the healthcare legislation, known as ObamaCare.
Trump’s plan to eliminate or revise the Affordable Care Act is as much up in the air as his future cabinet. While the president elect certainly has directions he wants to take his administration, there is nothing definitive.
The one exception is that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was booted as head of the transition team and replaced with Vice President-Elect Mike Pence, according to the Associated Press. Christie, a staunch Republican who supported Trump after halting his bid presidency, is more or less involved with long-time running scandal in New Jersey. Long story short, Christie may have a critical role to play in the future Trump administration, but for whatever reason, he is temporarily sitting on the sidelines.
Republicans who made their political mark long ago are now resurfacing as possible players in a Trump administration. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is back in the limelight, supporting Trump and possibly being considered to be the next attorney general.
A known Clinton adversary, Giuliani said to CNN journalists last week that charges against Trump’s former rival should be given a lot of thought. Trump and Giuliani have repeatedly said Clinton should be jailed for reasons involving the use of her personal email account.
Trump named Stephen Bannon, chairman of Breitbart News, as his chief strategist and senior counsel, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The NYT reported Democrats and some Republicans express discontent with the choice because Bannon represents a fringe side to the Republican Party.
Bannon, however, is hardly the sole center of attention. Pence is under fire from Huffington Post editor Michelangelo Singorile and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. Whether it’s journalists, Shippensburg University students or the public at large, many people are concerned about the incoming administration’s stance on LGBTQ civil rights.
Pence, a known proponent of conversion therapy, is said by Trump and the media to take on a significant role as vice president. While his role is unknown the question leaves many people bracing themselves.
The circumstances of the soon-to-be Republican controlled federal government are unique. It is not unique that the three branches of government are to be dominated by one political party, but that the unconventional leader of the party is giving a platform to people with bold beliefs and unforgiving attitudes.
Americans wanted change and Trump won because he promised it. But even Trump may not know what change will come to this country as the political landscape swings to the far right.
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