“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” – Martin Niemöller

Niemöller said this in response to the acts of the Natzis during the Holocaust, and while we are nowhere near that, it is worth acknowledging the parallel of how far people felt from changing Germany and how many high schoolers feel that executive orders (EO) are nothing more than far-off, irrelevant documents. But in neither situation was this the case. EOs dictate how we live, who we love, how we express ourselves, and everything in between. 

On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States of America. Within a week, President Trump signed a total of 37 EOs, touching on topics from immigration to education to gender. While there are more implications of these orders than could ever truly be discussed, the Patriot Press feels the need to explain the effects that these orders can and will have on students. 

Eight orders, which concern changes in immigration policies, raise the most uncertainty in our community. 

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, passed a memorandum that restricted ICE from pursuing people of interest within “sensitive areas”, such as hospitals, places of warship, and schools. However, only hours after his inauguration, President Trump revoked this policy, allowing ICE to pursue people of interest in schools. 

On the same day, an executive order was placed titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government”. In short this EO, under the flag of feminism, has decided that there are only two genders, male and female. The order continued to specify that the expression and identification of these genders are restricted to those of the same biological sex. 

It restricts gender identity to that of a person’s biology. 

This means that trans and non binary students’ right to be identified by their chosen gender can be ignored in schools.

This is not a matter of Queers vs. Straight or Democrats vs. Republicans. This is a matter of safety within our schools.

Though the most currently discussed, these EOs are not the only that will impact us. Many students are oblivious to the reality of the EOs, especially those of majority race, religion or gender. But the reality is, no matter who you are, you are subject to the government and its policies. If people were truly outside the realm of these orders, then that would make America an anarchy. But, last I checked, we are a democracy. With laws and governments that impact us all.

This isn’t just about race and immigration either. These orders threaten our health, expression, and education.

Another is being drafted to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.

How do you think that will impact you?