Another week, another dictator starter pack of executive orders. If you thought last week’s censorship, anti-labor attacks, and immigrant scapegoating were bad, buckle up—because this week, Trump decided to go full Orwell.
This time, he’s rewriting history, criminalizing dissent (again), and handing even more power to corporations. It’s like he’s trying to win a gold medal in Destroying Democracy in Record Time. Let’s break it down.
1. The “America First History” Order (March 3, 2025)
What it does: Requires all federally funded schools to teach a “pro-America” curriculum that emphasizes “national pride” and removes “divisive” topics like racism and social justice.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Federal law does not allow the president to dictate school curricula. That’s up to the states.
- Ethical: Ah yes, let’s just erase history that makes certain people uncomfortable. That’s totally not fascist at all.
- Constitutional: First Amendment. You can’t force schools to teach state-sanctioned propaganda.
2. The “Protecting Law & Order” Executive Order (March 4, 2025)
What it does: Expands federal funding for police departments that agree to “cooperate” with federal agencies in monitoring protests.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: This basically creates a federally funded surveillance state to track political dissenters.
- Ethical: Let’s call this what it is: a crackdown on protests. If you can’t beat the opposition, just spy on them, right?
- Constitutional: The First and Fourth Amendments both say nope. The government can’t spy on citizens just because they don’t like their politics.
3. The “Religious Freedom Business Act” (March 5, 2025)
What it does: Allows any business to refuse service based on religious beliefs.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: This is basically a get-out-of-civil-rights-laws-free card.
- Ethical: So now, businesses can legally say “no gays, no Muslims, no single moms” and call it “religious freedom”?
- Constitutional: The First Amendment doesn’t let you use religion to strip other people of their rights.
4. The “American Business Protection” Order (March 6, 2025)
What it does: Eliminates federal environmental regulations that “burden businesses.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The EPA exists for a reason. Trump can’t just cancel laws because his billionaire buddies asked him to.
- Ethical: Enjoy your poisoned water and smog-filled air, folks. Big Oil says thanks.
- Constitutional: The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts are actual laws that Congress passed. Executive orders can’t just erase them.
5. The “Public Safety & Order” Act (March 7, 2025)
What it does: Increases penalties for people convicted of “obstructing law enforcement” during protests.
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: This is basically an anti-protest law disguised as a “safety” measure.
- Ethical: When the government starts criminalizing dissent, democracy is officially on life support.
- Constitutional: First Amendment again. Protesting is not a crime.
6. The “Secure Our Elections” Order (March 8, 2025)
What it does: Mandates new voter ID laws and limits early voting for “election security.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: Voter suppression, plain and simple.
- Ethical: The goal here is not “election security.” It’s stopping people from voting.
- Constitutional: The Voting Rights Act exists for a reason. And this? Violates it.
7. The “National Security Media Guidelines” (March 9, 2025)
What it does: Restricts media access to government press briefings and requires outlets to be “verified” as “trustworthy.”
Why it’s a problem:
- Legal: The government does not get to decide which news outlets are “trustworthy.”
- Ethical: This is straight-up state-controlled media.
- Constitutional: First Amendment. AGAIN. This is an attack on the free press.
Final Thoughts
Trump isn’t even pretending to care about democracy at this point. He’s censoring history, criminalizing dissent, suppressing voters, and controlling the press. We’re in full authoritarian speedrun mode now.
At this rate, next week’s executive orders will probably include mandatory loyalty oaths and a Trump Youth program. Because honestly? That’s exactly where this is headed.
Sources:
- List of Executive Orders – Wikipedia
- Voting Rights – Brennan Center for Justice
- Environmental Protection Laws – EPA
- Press Freedom – Reporters Without Borders
- Protest Rights – ACLU
