One of President Trump’s first moves in the White House was to pause all federal funding for USAID. This brought operations abroad to a halt and sent employees into disarray. Although the courts have since ruled the move illegal, it reflects a broader pattern of haphazard policymaking. The country has seen many changes that point to minimal regard for how implementation will affect current programs and their personnel. The Trump administration needs to do better to protect its workers and ensure that in the future research is done before positions and departments are terminated.  USAID History  USAID was created in…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is an emotional topic here in the U.S. Following the George Floyd riots, it has only grown in popularity. The Supreme Court’s Student for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruled affirmative action unconstitutional in 2023, fanning the flame that exploded into Trump’s Executive order.  Introduced on January 20th, the order Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing paused special events such as MLK Day, LGBTQ Pride and Holocaust Remembrance Day. These actions that are being fulfilled have led to some important conversations about what DEI truly is, how it’s been implemented, what it seeks…

Monday, Jan 20 marked the day Donald Trump was sworn into the presidential office for a second term. Since his arrival, President Trump has been rescinding previous executive orders and implementing his own. He has effectively established a framework that serves as a red carpet for his policy intentions over the next four years. So far his executive orders have addressed domestic energy, gender policy, TikTok and especially border security. However, Trump is facing a large amount of scrutiny for the harsh manner in which he is handling these policy changes and should strive to look into the validity of…

In 1990, the U.S. enacted the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) on a federal level, which proved to be the foundation for all disability protections in the country. But, The Supreme Court case Acheson Hotels v. Laufer has changed things, opening up a larger conversation. This case addressed whether individuals with disabilities who personally assess businesses for ADA compliance have legal standing to sue. While the country has made significant progress, there is more that can be done to provide disability access to citizens.   The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications.…

Gen Z likes to push boundaries and challenge authority — and maybe it’s time to learn from them. On November 14, Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, a Gen Z member in New Zealand’s Parliament, began Haka, a traditional Maori dance in response to a bill the ACT party introduced. The moment has been described as disruptive, as it required the proceeding to halt while people joined in the chant. However, this is far from being an isolated event. Haka in Parliament reflects the energy Gen Z consistently brings to professional settings and its irreverent willingness to push boundaries to be heard…

On December 3, 2024, the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law, shocking the nation. The National Assembly was quick to overturn the move, but the event resulted in protests and calls for impeachment. For South Korea, the decree was reminiscent of dark times. For the U.S., the event serves as a reminder of how emergency powers can be abused. A Moment that Shocked the Globe The South Korean Constitution allows martial law to be invoked during great unrest — when military force is the only means to protect public safety or in war or armed conflict.…

Big Picture China’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing is performing exceptionally well. It surpasses the United States’ capability in production, export and cost metrics. Declining demand for EVs in the U.S. and cheaper Chinese prices have U.S. automobile manufacturers and the government struggling to respond. The former fears extinction, while the latter fears the loss of its competitive edge within the global manufacturing landscape. Both fear an economic disaster that comes from losing their domestic footing within the EV industry.  Losing market share is a realistic concern, as polling demonstrates an increase in consumers’ willingness to purchase Chinese cars. Chinese built cars balance reliability…

Technology is as dangerous as it is necessary. Data leaks from organizations such as Solar Winds and, more recently, AT&T have made the need for defined security measures evident. American citizens’ data can be weaponized by foreign enemies and domestic criminals alike, yet the United States has minimal cybersecurity regulations. The Department of Defense (DoD) has requirements for contractors and subcontractors who provide technology to the government, but outside of this agency, little has been done. Any type of regulation is slow going because of an ongoing debate between government agencies and private companies about who to hold responsible for…

In 2016, the murder of an innocent woman in a Gangnam, South Korea train station shocked the world when a man hiding in a gender-neutral restroom committed the atrocious act. While detained, the man claimed he did so out of his “hatred for women.” 4B Movement and Societal Pressure This event went on to inspire the South Korean”4B Movement,” which can be described as a form of “radical feminism.” The movement shuns four words that begin with the Korean equivalent of the “B” sound: marriage, dating, childbearing and sexual relations with men. The motivation for such an organization lies in…

Americans on opposite sides of the aisle are far from opposites, sharing views on countless policy issues. But misinformation blinds us to this reality. It sharpens political division among the masses and gives us a domineering sense of schism. Affective polarization occurs when both sides exaggerate each other’s perspectives. It feeds off of misinformation that intentionally portrays a party or demographic in a misleading way. And it works. California’s AB 2839 is taking a step against this problem. It prohibits the distribution of election content that is “materially deceptive,” including artificially adapted content that could harm a candidate, committee or…