On Nov. 6, America found itself in a familiar position. For the second time, former President Donald Trump was elected president, earning his way into the highest office, again squashing the opportunity for the American public to see its first female president. In an eerie instance of history repeating itself, the potential to explore a new direction and shatter the most daunting glass ceiling of all remains unfulfilled.

This moment — so reminiscent of 2016 — has left the nation divided once more. However, we can no longer hide behind claims of unfamiliarity. Trump is no longer a stranger in the American political landscape. This is the path we have decided to descend, along with the harrowing realities and consequences it may bring. As we find ourselves facing four more years under Trump, we must reckon with what lies ahead and brace for the impact of the future we have chosen. 

Reproductive Rights 

A highly contentious topic on this year’s presidential ticket — abortion protections and reproductive rights — hangs in the balance under a second Trump administration. Despite seemingly distancing himself from the issue this election season, the steps taken during Trump’s first presidency to limit abortion access cannot be understated. Having appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices in his first term, Trump has boasted about his role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a landmark case protecting the constitutional right to abortion. This reversal, which put abortion regulations in the hands of the states, resulted in 13 states enacting total bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy and an additional four states prohibiting the procedure after six weeks. The first Trump administration also threatened organizations focused on reproductive health such as Planned Parenthood by introducing gag rules preventing the groups from performing or referring patients for abortion.

However, Trump recently claimed he would not support a nationwide abortion ban, posting to social media that “everyone knows I would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it because it is up to the states to decide based on the will of their voters (the will of the people!).” In the same statement, he expressed support for legal access to abortion in cases of rape or incest, as well as when the mother’s life is at risk. While Vice President-elect JD Vance claimed he has never supported a federal abortion ban during the vice presidential debate, he previously stated while running for Senate in 2022 that he “certainly would like abortion to be illegal nationally.” There is much uncertainty surrounding how the Trump administration’s stance on reproductive rights will shift, especially considering how drastically they have fluctuated already. 

Other gray areas include the approach that will be taken to the abortion pill mifepristone and in vitro fertilization (IVF). In April, Trump declined to comment on his views regarding access to mifepristone, an issue that has been hotly debated this election season, leaving room for speculation on how his administration will confront it. In terms of IVF access, Trump has expressed overwhelming support, even labeling himself “the father of IVF.” Though he has asserted the service will not only be protected but covered by government funds, there are still concerns following state rulings that have posed risks to fertility treatments.

While President-elect Trump has been contradictory and overwhelmingly vague in his stances; his inconsistency suggests that reproductive rights will be vulnerable under his leadership. The self-proclaimed “most pro-life president in American history,” Trump’s return to office brings the possibility of more stringent abortion restrictions and reduced reproductive health services.

Climate and Environmental Policy

Trump’s re-election poses a serious threat to climate and environmental action, with the president-elect having repeatedly called climate change “a hoax.” During his first term, he made attempts to roll back over 125 environmental safeguards protecting both the planet and those inhabiting it. Trump previously made history by pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement in 2017, the first nation to formally withdraw. Many expect the move to be repeated in a second term after the U.S. rejoined in 2021 under President Joe Biden. This would end America’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions in an effort to mitigate global warming.

Having promoted the slogan “drill, baby, drill” during his campaign, Trump has stated he intends to prioritize domestic oil and gas production as part of his broader goal to boost U.S. fossil fuel output. He has also pledged to dismantle efforts to invest in green energy undertaken during the Biden administration. Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark climate law, funneled billions of dollars into clean energy technology. Trump has committed to terminating this act, referring to it as the “green new scam,” leading many to infer he will reverse many protective environmental policies put in place under Biden.

Immigration

After basing much of his 2016 campaign on promises to “build the wall,” it comes as no surprise that Trump is promising an equally rigid approach to immigration during his second term. His 2024 campaign slogan, “Mass Deportation Now,” suggests an intensified approach and is shaping up to be more than just an empty promise. Recently, Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the 2024 Trump campaign, told Fox News that “on day one he is going to launch the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in American history.” Since his win, the president-elect has been quick to fill leadership roles that would oversee immigration, including appointing former ICE Director Tom Homan to be his “border czar.”

Again, Trump has provided few details on what the deportation process would entail or how he would pinpoint individuals who are in the U.S. illegally. In an August interview, Vance suggested the Trump administration could take a “sequential approach,” starting with one million deportations per year and gradually increasing. Such ambitious expectations demand an exhaustive influx of resources, including funding for the agents conducting raids, detention facilities and more. The American Immigration Council, an immigration advocacy group, estimated that deporting one million people a year would have a price tag of roughly $88 billion annually. 

Other approaches have been discussed that would aim to restrict not only illegal immigration but also legal avenues for migration. Trump has long pledged to end birthright citizenship, an established constitutional right ensuring the citizenship of those born on U.S. soil regardless of the legal status of their parents. It has also been speculated that first-term immigration policies may be re-introduced. This could include the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring those seeking asylum to stay in Mexico while their cases are pending, as well as the infamous Muslim travel ban of 2017. While the specifics are still blurry, immigration policy appears to be a clear priority for the second Trump administration.

Education

President-elect Trump has proposed alterations that may change the face of the American education system, starting with the Department of Education. He has vowed to dismantle the federal agency altogether numerous times in an effort to return control over educational policy back to the states. While local and state governments provide 90% of educational funding and primarily retain authority, The Department of Education has several key responsibilities. The agency enforces civil rights policies such as Title IX regulations, which protect against discrimination based on race, sex and other aspects of identity in federally funded schools. Without these protections, there is speculation that the Trump administration may take steps to impede gender inclusivity, including potential measures to prevent trans youth from competing on sports teams and using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. 

The department also plays a vital role in ensuring access to higher education by overseeing federal student aid programs. The Department of Education manages the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program, setting standards universities must meet to participate. It also oversees the federal Pell Grant, which provides financial assistance to low-income students to help cover the cost of college. Trump is also against the Biden administration’s student loan debt forgiveness plan, calling it “very, very unfair to the millions and millions of people who have paid their debt through hard work.” Dismantling the Department of Education would have far-reaching implications, including the loss of federal oversight and funding for student aid, potentially undermining access to higher education. 

Trump is also expected to implement content restrictions in public schools, reflecting long-standing calls from the right to limit discussions of certain topics in the classroom education system. He has threatened cuts in federal funding “for any school or program pushing Critical Race Theory, gender ideology, or other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.” Legislation targeting classroom content has already resulted in the removal of over 10,000 books from schools during the 2023-2024 school year. A second Trump term could reshape education by promoting curriculum content and standards that align with “patriotic values and support the American Way of Life.”

Taxes and Economy

The economy was a major focus of Trump’s campaign and likely played a decisive role in the outcome of the election. Capitalizing on widespread frustration surrounding inflation, Trump has vowed to tackle the issue head-on, targeting everything from “car affordability to housing affordability to insurance costs to supply chain issues.” He has vowed to reverse current trends and reduce the cost of gas, groceries and other essentials, although few specifics have been given on how he plans to achieve this. What is known is that Trump’s broader economic plan centers on tax cuts, raising tariffs and reducing prices, although most of these initiatives would require congressional approval. 

Trump can be expected to extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is currently set to expire at the end of 2025. This policy implemented widespread tax reductions, including cuts to individual income and estate taxes. Trump has also proposed lowering the corporate income tax rate by an additional 6%, effectively reversing Biden’s tax increases on the wealthiest Americans. However, Trump has also proposed a series of tax changes designed to provide targeted tax breaks to assist working and middle-class Americans. His plan includes eliminating federal taxes on Social Security benefits, overtime pay and tips. However, these proposed changes could significantly reduce the tax revenue that funds Social Security, potentially leading to a 30% cut in benefits if not alternatively funded.

A final core component of Trump’s economic plan is a massive tariff hike. He has proposed tariffs of 10% to 20% on foreign goods across the board, in addition to a tariff of over 60% on all Chinese imports. Despite claims that the tariffs will stimulate the American economy and generate billions in revenue, it is likely that they will ultimately raise prices for American consumers since they are paid by importers. Trump’s economic promises, though ambitious, seem reactive and could ultimately yield mixed results.

Hope is not just a feeling, but a duty — one we must cling to even in the most challenging of times. We owe it to ourselves to continue looking toward a brighter future, to let this outcome fuel our determination rather than defeat our spirit. The next four years may test us, but we have faced adversity before, and we have the resilience to endure it again. We have survived a Trump presidency once, and though the scars remain, we are still here, still fighting. These are the cards we’ve been dealt, and time and again, we will adjust, adapt and move forward. Stay informed. Stay engaged. The future is still ours to shape.