President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a continuous assault on university life, the First Amendment, student journalism and civil rights just 86 days into his term. Our papers — the Michigan Daily, the Grand Valley Lanthorn and the Ferris State Torch — have witnessed the onslaught to varying degrees in our own backyards. As journalists and students, we are watching an attack on the rights of our peers with a simultaneous shift to cowardice by university administrations. This is not just happening in Michigan, but across the entire country. 

Following a summer of protests and the violent removal of a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Michigan, there has been a retaliation from the highest office in the country. After the federal government dangled $400 million of federal funding in their faces, Columbia administrators agreed to ban protesting students from wearing face masks, hire additional security personnel and review the school’s Middle Eastern studies department. These concessions are taking place on varying scales across the country, with the University of Maine serving as another example. To win back funding, the institution announced it will not allow trans women to compete in women’s sports.

When students enroll in school, they do so under the assumption their university will look out for them. That assumption has been proven wrong. Universities are failing to deliver for their students, as administrators have prioritized their pocketbooks over the security of their students. 

Student journalists and activist groups have warned that the values defining higher education are under attack. As diversity, equity and inclusion programs come under assault, immigration officers descend upon our campuses and LGBTQ+ protections are stripped away, our schools have either stood in silence or actively fallen in line with the president’s demands, and in the process, our universities have been pulled from under us.

In a shameful move, U-M announced campus-wide cuts to DEI initiatives through the closure of both its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office of Health, Equity and Inclusion. The Wall Street Journal reports that University of Michigan President Santa Ono is “ready to play ball with Trump’s Washington.” He’s not the only one. 

At Grand Valley State University, students and faculty have expressed concern over a lack of communication about campus immigration and customs enforcement guidelines. In March, GVSU administration altered and cut language in the university’s harassment policy to fall in line with the most recent federal court rulings, which reverted Title IX policies back to those of the first Trump administration.

For Ferris State University, a lack of student protests has seemingly equated to little to no concerns about federal crackdowns. However, we argue that it’s a safe bet that members of targeted communities are most likely living with fear. At the very least, we think our universities should be affirming the safety of students who have drawn the ire of the federal government. 

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the visas of current and former U-M, GVSU and Central Michigan University students. Places of higher education have a duty to protect students, whether that be from ICE arrests, the federal government’s gutting of resources for marginalized students or the erasure of scholarship and curricula. However, none of our schools have appropriately safeguarded students from the federal government’s harm.

Following the detainment of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student who wrote a pro-Palestine op-ed in her school’s newspaper, Tufts’ president issued a statement of support for Ozturk and called for her release. We applaud the actions being taken by Tufts University and feel higher-ed administrations nationwide should be exerting the same strength to shield their students from Trump’s grip.

Just this week, Harvard refused to capitulate to the Trump administration’s demands, saying the university is “not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.” We believe that Harvard’s stance should be replicated by other universities, yet we also acknowledge the school’s hand in repressing pro-Palestine activists. While not all higher-ed institutions are private like Harvard, the protection of students should be universal. 

At the moment, we don’t feel our institutions would stand up and speak out. We’ve seen our administrations quickly cave to the pressure of both the Trump administration and wealthy benefactors time and time again. Above all, university officials appear to be more worried about their finances than the communities they are meant to serve.

Our papers cover these issues in order to help students parse through the hectic media landscape. In most cases, university leadership either briefly responds through email or flat out declines to comment. Administrators should be engaging in communication with student reporters during this difficult time. We feel as if instead of supporting their students, many higher-ed officials are cowardly hiding being a wall of vague and ambiguous policy. 

As journalists, we feel a responsibility to amplify campus voices, and as scholars ourselves, we’re imploring our administrations to safeguard students from harm’s way and preserve freedom of expression. It’s up to students and university community members to continue speaking out and advocating for the future they want to see on their campuses — a space free of repression and oppression — in Michigan and beyond.

Cheap nostalgia: Disney live-action renditions lack fresh interpretations

Within the past decade, there has been an increase in the production of live-action remakes of many beloved animated films. Disney is by far the largest contributor in this phenomenon, as they appear to be working through their collection of classic animations, most recently debuting the live action “Snow White,” released last month.

Disney has the ability to revamp stories because the company is not the creator of the tales they showcase, many of which are based in folklore. While we understand the immersive appeal of live-action movies, there seems to be a level of halfhearted handiwork on Disney’s part. Many of these live-action remakes include changes that aren’t really significant enough to bring a fresh or interesting take to the source material. Rather than watching a well-coordinated adaptation of animated films or an experimental take, viewers are left with recycled remakes that don’t respect their source material.

In our view, Disney doesn’t seem able to consistently churn out films that are either innovative or thoughtful in their retellings. This dilemma results in remakes that feel like a cheap attempt to appeal to nostalgia rather than create renditions or expand on beloved fairy tales. It’s our view that Disney should be more intentional with their remakes instead of throwing in unnecessary additives. We believe Disney should honor original films with quality shot-for-shot remakes or clearly offer consistent, fresh renditions in an effort to not muddle people’s perceptions of beloved tales.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Political polarization leads Kendrick Lamar halftime critiques

Shortly after sweeping the Grammys with the diss track “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans for the most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show in history. This wasn’t Lamar’s first time performing at the Super Bowl— he appeared alongside Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem during the 2022 Super Bowl, which marked the first halftime show to focus entirely on hip-hop. With guests including SZA, Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams, Lamar used his performance to make a statement; against Drake, of course, but also about greater themes of patriotism and political division.

Jackson, who served as a narrator through the performance, was decked out in a patriotic suit, and personified Uncle Sam. As the Root reported, “Uncle Sam was supposed to represent the ‘sanitized’ America. The America that makes most of the Super Bowl viewers comfortable.”

The show was filled with symbolism, with dancers on the main stage dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue. During the opening notes of Lamar’s 2017 hit “HUMBLE,” the dancers arranged to form an American flag. The choreography continued, and the flag formation split down the middle, which we see as symbolizing the division within our current political system.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Brat or not brat: “We’re bumpin’ that”

Ranking No. 3 on the Billboard music charts, the album “brat” by Charli xcx is more than the soundtrack to our summer. After “brat” released on June 7, the chaotic, high energy album became a viral sensation, and has transformed into an aesthetic and lifestyle trend called “brat summer. Brat summer has swarmed social media and truly took on a life of its own. We are certainly “bumpin’ that.”

One of the trends associated with “Brat” is its lime green album cover– the new color of the summer. The color has had an impact similar to the aesthetic trends of last summer’s blockbuster movie release, “Barbie.”

The singer has defined brat summer as an aesthetic for messy and rebellious party girls to embrace a lifestyle of being your perfectly imperfect self. The trend has been deemed by the general public as an opposite of the “clean girl” aesthetic of 2022, which popularized a groomed and filtered version of femininity. Here at the Lanthorn, we think this acceptance of a real and sometimes messy lifestyle is “so Julia.”

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Columns

Ranking every Michigan record store I’ve visited

Since starting my music collection in 2018, visiting record stores has become one of my favorite activities– whether that be shopping with friends or my dad, who’s also restarted his own collection. I’ve made a habit of stopping at shops while on mini-vacations or driving through new towns. That being said, I’ve taken the time to rank all of the 13 stores in Michigan that have had me flipping through vinyl. A majority of the shops I’ve ranked are located in West Michigan, however there are a couple exceptions. My list is, in-part, determined by both my preferred selection and the type of shopping experience I enjoy most.

To read more of Hailey Hentz’s column, click here.

Written rivalry: What the Anchor-Bone Classic means to our newspapers

When talking about rivalries in sports, there are plenty of options. Michigan and Michigan State or Michigan and Ohio State are easy answers for Michiganders. Those aren’t the rivalries the Torch and the Lanthorn have the honor of covering.

Our small, midwestern newspapers get to say that we cover the Anchor Bone Classic. It’s built into the DNA of Bulldogs and Lakers to have the date of the Grand Valley and Ferris game circled, either mentally or physically.

Every fall, the Lanthorn releases an article about the Grand Valley versus Ferris game– an article that encapsulates the antagonism and excitement that repeats with unfaltering intensity. With a corresponding photo on the newspaper’s cover, the yearly edition arguably represents school spirit and what it means to “be a Laker” better than any of our editions.

In pages divided up between the latest news, club features and individual Lakers’ columns, pride for Grand Valley normally takes many forms. But when it comes to the edition highlighting the rivalry game, devotion to school spirit is in one substantial place, taking the form of a two-page blue, black, and white compilation.

To read more of Hailey Hentz and Dylan Rider’s column, click here.

Beyond ceasefire: Advocating against apartheid is a continued fight

More than 471 days since Oct. 7, 2023, the day so many of us have been asking for, praying for and demanding, has finally come to pass. A ceasefire has successfully been brokered between Israel and Hamas, ending the former’s genocidal slaughter of the Gaza Strip. For many, and certainly myself, this is cause for celebration. We’ve witnessed war crimes unlike anything our generation has ever seen broadcast daily on our devices. After over a year, we can finally look forward to an imminent ending of the terror and a relative return to “normal.” However, I must urge you to look at what this “normal” entails. While the bombing may stop, we still must continue to advocate for the Palestinian people.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

GV administration should protect students from Trump’s agenda

Like other students at Grand Valley State University, I have become increasingly anxious about the state of America following the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. The inauguration was notably attended by wealthy tech executives and several high-ranking politicians from both parties. The occasion was also filled with much of the hyper-nationalistic rhetoric we have come to expect from Trump, who declared that America would “pursue (its) manifest destiny into the stars.” While the speech captured many people’s attention, it was Trump’s actions soon after that became the main cause of alarm.

Within hours of entering office, Trump began a wave of executive orders and plans, including, but not limited to, the pardoning of all involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a requirement that all federal employees stop working remotely and even a rename of the Gulf Of Mexico to the “Gulf Of America.” Most concerning, however, are Trump’s attacks on immigration and diversity.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

Reducing financial burdens could improve the college experience

Being broke is a common stereotype for us college students. In most cases, this stereotype reigns true with many of us living paycheck to paycheck and feeling the constant stress of finances. I believe that without the extremely high cost of course materials, housing and tuition we wouldn’t be in such a bad situation. I feel that almost all things related to college should be more affordable.

High costs of university expenses cause major stress and anxiety. Nearly every four-year student has some kind of debt stacked up before the end of their college experience. If the cost of college and materials were cheaper, I think the number of students with debt would be drastically decreased. I can attest to the anxiety that having future debt gives students.

I personally worry about my future and the financial burden my student debt might cause me. Students worry not only about debt, but also semester bills they don’t take out loans for. I’ve had friends cry over expenses and wonder how they’re going to pay. Not every student has the benefit of financial aid– they have to pay their bills immediately. While many students do barely manage to pay, there’s still a large number of students who end up dropping out because they cannot afford the cost of college.

To read more of Gabrielle Ray’s column, click here.

Ended federal union collective bargaining

Warming everyone up for the entries to come, I think it would be appropriate to start with one of the worst attacks on organized labor in our country since the Haymarket massacre. On the morning of Friday, March 28, Trump signed an executive order cancelling collective bargaining for a swath of federal employee unions. This is the first time in my recent memory that state-sanctioned union-busting has taken place so blatantly at this level. While this is likely to be challenged in court, labor unions should take this as a sign they will not be able to count on winning their labor struggles the traditional way, lest Trump steps in to save his rich buddies on Wall Street.

Erasure Of Black And Queer History 

Presumably because they couldn’t think of anything better to do, in mid-February,  the Trump administration ordered the removal of any mention of LGBTQ+ people, people of color and women from government websites, such as NASA and the Arlington National Cemetery pages. This includes, among many other things, an article highlighting the military service of Jackie Robinson, who famously broke the MLB’s color barrier. This is a small chapter in the administration’s broad war on diversity, but it bears mentioning to show how all-encompassing Trump’s attacks on DEI have been, even in terms of seemingly minuscule elements like one-page tributes on federal websites.

Greenland

One of Trump’s goals since taking office has been his seemingly unwavering dedication to annex Greenland, despite most of Greenland being against this plan of action. This lack of consent from the people of Greenland has done little to dissuade Trump, who has dug his heels in the sand and channeled his inner Veruca Salt from the film  “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” droning on and on about how we simply must have Greenland. Trump has also gone on record stating the U.S. having Greenland would make the whole world safe. Personally, I can’t really see how. This debacle would honestly be a lot funnier if it didn’t also have massive implications for U.S. alliances abroad. If a U.S. invasion of Greenland happens, which Trump has alluded to, it would essentially torch NATO’s alliance with the U.S. and any goodwill toward Europe.

“Terrific” Operations Security

In one of the most laughable moments from Trump’s presidency so far, top-secret government information was leaked to the public due to several officials not knowing how to use Signal. This chat, including people such as JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, Mike Waltz, Marco Rubio and a few other high-ranking officials, was used to discuss plans to bomb Yemen. What they didn’t realize, however, was that a reporter from The Atlantic had been included in the chat by mistake, and was witness to the top-secret discussion. These discussions were held in a manner that seemed as if they were part of a fraternity, planning their weekend blowout. The utter surrealism of Waltz using emojis to discuss a bombing campaign is without description. After the Trump administration denied the chats and questioned the legitimacy of the reporter, The Atlantic released the entire Signal conversation, which revealed that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was not included. This entire, embarrassing debacle can be summed up with one group chat text from Hegseth, the Fox News host masquerading as a military official, “100% OPSEC” (Operations Security).

Political Deportations

Finally, one of the most horrifying and cruel moments from this presidency is Trump’s weaponization of deportation to remove those who are actively working against the administration. Specifically, he has worked to deport students involved in pro-Palestine activism across the country. Most notably, the abduction of Mahmoud Khalil at the hands of ICE has grabbed the nation’s attention in an unprecedented attack on the student movement. Several abductions followed soon after, and almost all individuals have been waiting in jail without trial. All this comes as the Trump administration has been looking to strip due process in deportation cases, which would essentially allow the government to deport anyone as long as they’re accused of being an illegal immigrant.

While this is by no means a complete list of all the noteworthy actions from Trump and his administration, I hope it illustrates just how insane, cruel and seemingly stupid this administration has managed to be in just over two months.

During times like these, it’s easy for many of us to feel despair, as the actions of this administration can affect every one of us. Despite this, I must caution against allowing fear and hopelessness to stifle our motivation to fight back against this administration. 

The Trump administration’s choice to engage in a flurry of executive orders, ludicrous claims and disastrous decisions seems to be indicative of a strategy Steve Bannon, Trump’s old ally, laid out in 2019. Bannon saw the press as the Trump administration’s main enemy and strategized that for Trump to overcome them, he and his administration would have to “flood the zone” every day, making it difficult for the media to effectively focus on anything the administration is doing.

This is exactly the strategy Trump is employing. Every day, more shock value comes from the White House, making it difficult for any effective opposition to be organized against any one action. The daily confusion caused by this barrage of bad news looks to me like an integral part of Trump’s strategy.

However, there are already signs his strategy is far from perfect. Most of Trump’s executive orders have been swiftly blocked by federal judges, such as his order on transgender women being moved to men’s prisons, his axing of the constitutional right to birthright citizenship and most dramatically, his federal funding freeze. In fact, not only was the freeze blocked, but it also displayed the utter disorganization of the White House, revealing that parts of Trump’s own administration were out of the loop. I see this as a start to a term that will likely go down as one of Trump’s most embarrassing failures.

I know how terrible it can feel to watch this all happen, and I relate to those who feel powerless in stopping any of this or fighting back. However, no one person is truly powerless, just as any one person is not all-powerful. If a fight against not just Trump, but everything that empowers him and his movement is to be fought, it must be fought from within communities at the ground level.

We all got a chance to witness an example of this on Feb. 5, as protesters gathered to speak out against Project 2025 and Trump’s agenda all across the country. Instead of being called by the Democratic Party or any large organization, the movement was organized entirely online. This was done using the hashtag “#50501,” standing for 50 protests, 50 states and one day to gather attention across the U.S. 

In my eyes, this is proof that no matter how hard the White House may try, it is simply unable to stop these mass actions of resistance when the public is not being served by its government. Considering how quickly and effectively these protests were organized, it isn’t hard to imagine such actions becoming even more targeted in the future, potentially being able to strike at the heart of the Trump administration. 

Amid all of this chaos, it is important to keep a revolutionary optimism when confronting life under the Trump administration. We must remember that, despite how daunting this presidency is set to be, we have endured it before, and we can endure it once more with considerable resistance. Now is not the time to act as if Trump is untouchable. We the people have the power to stop him.

Although the winner of the presidential race wasn’t announced until the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 6, it was clear hours before that a “red wave” was breaking on the shores of the U.S. political landscape. Trump’s victory came through 312 electoral votes as compared to Harris’ 226. 270 is the number of votes from the electoral college needed to win the presidency.

Trump also won the popular vote, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by a Republican since former President George W. Bush in 2004. Trump was able to win the national tally by garnering a lead of almost 4 million votes. 

All seven of the battleground swing states went to Trump, who took back Michigan, Wisconsin and even Pennsylvania from the Democratic Party. These are states that had previously turned blue in the 2020 election. Harris spent a protracted period of her campaign in the state of Pennsylvania to rally support, knowing it would be vital in winning the presidential race. Yet, she lost the state by about 150,000 votes.

The “red wave” of Republican support has won the party more than just the presidency. Republicans also now have the majority in the U.S. Senate, and are well on their way to achieving the same victory in the House of Representatives– a race that’s inching towards finalization.

This definitive defeat comes as a surprise for Democratic Party leadership, who are “depressed and demoralized” about the results, according to The New York Times.

This election season was fraught with challenges for Democrats. President Joe Biden bowed out of the presidential race very late in the season, which allowed Harris only 100 days to campaign. Harris underperformed Biden in many states that have been considered vital to the Democratic Party.

One such strata that Harris may have underperformed in was the student voting block. Michigan State University reported that student participation for Harris at MSU fell below the numbers of her predecessor in 2020.

Still, many students at GVSU announced they were proud to vote for Harris this election.

GVSU student Nikolas Tompkins was one such individual. He said his frustration with election results stem from what he sees as a bleak outlook for Trump’s presidency.

“I wasn’t surprised, but I was disappointed,” Tompkins said. “I’m not optimistic for America over the next four years under Trump, especially if the House remains in a Republican majority.”

Tompkins bases his lack of optimism on what many consider to be “outrageous rhetoric” from the president-elect.

”The return of Trump has already created an even larger divide in the country,” Tompkins said. “In online spaces, we are already seeing a further divide.”

Even more unsavory, perhaps, is the perception of Trump’s discrimination against marginalized groups. Tompkins sees the reelection of Trump as a moral issue– one that may negatively affect specific groups in American society.

“I am also extremely scared for many minority groups across the country, especially LGBTQ+ and Hispanic groups,” Tompkins said. “I worry for their safety under Project 2025 and a highly conservative government.”

Other students seemed genuinely surprised at Trump’s victory, especially being he was out of office for the last four years. Noah MacLachlan, a double major in writing and philosophy at GVSU, said he was not expecting Trump to win.

“Honestly, I was pretty surprised with the reelection of Donald Trump,” MacLachlan said. “At a base level, he is an actual felon, and I would have thought that would be enough for some people to not vote for him. But, I guess I overestimated how much of an impact that would be on people’s opinions.”

Samuel VanSlooten, a writing major at GVSU, views the victory as a shift in the country’s political climate.

“With the large amount of controversy surrounding him, it is certainly surprising to see that he won, and by winning the popular vote,” VanSlooten said. “Something I find significant is that a Republican candidate hasn’t won the popular (vote) for the last four elections. I believe this is an indicator of a cultural shift, as we did not see these numbers in previous elections for Donald Trump.”

VanSlooten, like Tompkins, said he recognizes the destructive potential of the impending Trump presidency. 

“To a degree, he is certainly a figure that many have drawn connections with authoritarian rule and fascism, and ultimately his actions will determine how divided we will become over his presidency,” VanSlooten said. “A big part of Donald Trump’s campaign is based on the idea of unifying the country, and it’s likely he is going to focus on trying to legitimize his position moving forward.”

Yet, VanSlooten remains steadfast in his hopes for America.

“I am optimistic out of necessity,” VanSlooten said. “We are living in a time where people demonize each other, and it’s important to try to work together, regardless of who is in office. I believe the strength of America has always been its people, and that we are capable of great things when we see each other as more alike than different.”

So far, it’s unclear what exactly Trump’s “new America” will look like. He has campaigned heavily on issues like closing the Mexico-United States border and fixing the economy, but the country will have to wait until well beyond January 2025 to see if Trump’s plans become fully realized.

“We are going to be seeing increased spending on the infrastructure of the border, as well as the spending for guards and military presence,” VanSlooten said. “I also think the economy may improve in the sense (that) we are exporting and producing more, but I am skeptical if these new profits will help the people who truly need it.”

Considering the boarder, Tompkins was also skeptical about Trump’s plans for the economy and his focus on ridding the country of undocumented immigrants.

“I’ll start by saying that I think Trump’s border plan will be catastrophic for the economy,” Tompkins said. “Undocumented immigrants alone contributed 96 billion dollars last year towards programs like Social Security and Medicare. They also make up more than 30% of all construction, manufacturing and labor jobs in the country. A mass deportation effort as Trump and his administration have proposed will have major ramifications on American infrastructure for years to come.”

Like other students, MacLachlan shares a fear that Trump’s presidency could trample on the rights of others.

“While the future seems to be quite scary for marginalized communities, I truly do hope that America won’t get worse for (marginalized groups of) people,” MacLachlan said. “I hope at least some good economic changes will go into place (and) extremist agendas won’t be passed, but it’s still scary nevertheless.”

MacLachlan remains optimistic about Trump’s desire to reset the economy. 

“I think Trump has potential to make for a somewhat better economy, though I’m not knowledgeable enough on economics to guarantee that it’ll become drastically better or worse,” MacLachlan said.

Professors in GVSU’s Political Science Department say that Trump’s win was not altogether surprising to them. However, they believe his presidency could set new precedents in the country for more than just policy.

Donald Zinman, a political science professor at GVSU, said he wasn’t shocked by Trump’s victory, as the president-elect has been an anomaly of sorts in American politics for some time now.

“He has a persistent ability to outperform the polls,” Zinman said. “Over nine years, Trump has pretty much eroded any sense of shock value (of) his outrageous personal behavior and dishonesty.”

Zinman described Trump’s classification as a convicted felon as a possible growing trend in the future of U.S. politics. 

“That may encourage more candidates who are convicted felons to run for down-ballot offices in the future,” he said. “Hopefully Trump can now be convinced to support national legislation that outlaws having to check off the box in job applications that asks if you have ever been convicted of a felony.”

As far as the red wave goes, Zinman said Trump may face little to no opposition in selecting his chosen cabinet.

“He will likely get his Cabinet through the Senate, although there may be some drama at the confirmation hearings,” Zinman said. “His legislative program will be curtailed by the Senate filibuster and a very razor thin majority in the House, but with party discipline, he may be able to get some tax and budget policies through by way of the Reconciliation process.”

Laura Schneider, a political science professor at GVSU and the Department’s internship coordinator, echoed Zinman’s claims wholeheartedly.

“Cabinet choices will likely go through,” Schneider said. “Republicans have the majority in the Senate and it only requires a majority vote for approval. So, if the party falls in line, there shouldn’t be any issues. We are still waiting on the House majority, so time will tell.”

Even if Trump’s platform becomes fulfilled, Schneider also recognizes the significance of his election from a historical perspective. Trump is only the second president to win a non-consecutive term in this office– the first since former President Grover Cleveland in 1892.

“Grover Cleveland is the only other president to be voted out of office only to win again in another election,” Schneider said. “It is also historic given Trump’s own history. He is the only convicted felon to be elected president of the United States. He also takes the prize of being the oldest president in history, replacing Joe Biden.”

Since Trump has big plans for long-term change and is tied to his final term as president, many people are questioning the future of the Republican Party. 

Zinman, for his part, is unsure of who the new face of the Republican Party will be, but doesn’t put it past Trump to circumvent term limits altogether.

“That person (to head the Republican Party after Trump) or (people) will emerge, but not right away,” Zinman said. “Losing elections is hard, but the soul-searching, rebuilding and housecleaning (are) necessary in order to get back to a place where victory can be achieved. Vance will be the early favorite for 2028, unless Trump decides to ignore the Constitution and simply run for a third term.”

Regardless of this year’s election results, Schneider is still a firm believer in the agency of individual voters.

“If you’ve taken my class, you’ve heard this before. Regardless of your political party, if you don’t like the candidates, get out and vote in primaries where the November slate of candidates is selected,” Schneider said. “The political landscape in the U.S. has shifted much farther to the right.”

Many have also expressed concern regarding international politics with Trump back in office. The country has seen a Trump presidency before, so most are familiar with how he operates on the international stage. He will certainly have to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war head-on.

Robert Kumpf, a GVSU political science professor specializing in international politics, noted that the election of Trump will impact American foreign involvement in a variety of ways.

“President Trump has long been a proponent of “America First,” which has come to represent a disconnect from American involvement in global affairs that do not directly impact American interests, as defined by Trump’s advisors,” Kumpf said. “In respect to Ukraine, we may see a slowing of American support and funding in that region.”

In regard to the Middle East, Kumpf is interested to see what Trump will do moving forward.

“American presidents have tried to manage this region, and nearly all of them have been relatively unsuccessful,” Kumpf said. “(Some) groups came out in support of the Trump candidacy out of anger toward the Biden administration’s support of Israel, but I’m not confident that President Trump will fare much better in his attempt to bring (it) under control.”

Kumpf seems to be more of a realist when it comes to the practical nature of Trump’s promise to end various international wars.

“Saying you will ‘end’ wars as a candidate is one thing, but actually ‘ending’ war once you’re in office is an entirely different thing,” Kumpf said. “Peace is not easily attainable in any conflict, but especially those seen as existential.”

While Trump himself has touted his acumen in international politics, Kumpf is less than certain about these claims.

“There are certainly countries that preferred Trump becoming president versus Harris, and leaders of some of these countries have stated as much publicly,” Kumpf said. “It is not unusual for foreign governments to have a preferred candidate in American elections, just as it is not unusual for the U.S. government to have a preferred candidate in foreign elections. The question we should be asking ourselves is why some of those countries preferred a Trump administration over a potential Harris administration.”

The answers may remain obscure until 2025 when Trump will take office. Kumpf said that at this point in time, this is a down-the-road concern.

“The president this week is Joe Biden and the election didn’t change that, but the inauguration in January certainly will,” Kumpf said. “I believe that policy change should occur after reviewing data provided by subject matter experts, and very careful consideration of the potential impact of any policy shift. Politicians, especially here in the United States, have a habit of changing policy just for the sake of throwing out anything connected to their predecessor versus examining the long-term potential.”

Kumpf noted that the US holds a great responsibility as a world leader in intentional politics and support for other nations. While he hopes the results of Trump’s administration will be positive ones, he does not discount the possibility of a more ominous world revealing itself in the wake of the 47th President’s reelection.

“The incoming Trump administration will be faced with multiple, critical foreign policy decisions immediately upon taking office, all of which have the potential to bring great success or great harm to millions of people around the globe,” Kumpf said.

Amid Trump’s re-election, many are finding themselves uncertain of what is to come. We feel that his policies regarding education, journalism, minorities and various other subjects are cause for alarm. Many young adults, including us, feel these proposed policies weighing heavily on our minds, as we prepare to inherit the country from older generations. 

During his campaign, Trump said he would like to dismantle the Department of Education. The Department is responsible for coordinating federal assistance to education and establishing policy for administrators. It appears that Trump would leave education up to the state governments to determine the course of education. 

During Trump’s first presidential term, he proposed billions in budget cuts to the Department of Education. Using federal funding as leverage, K-12 schools could be pressured to abolish tenure tracks and adopt merit pay for teachers. This is upsetting as many schools across the country already struggle in regard to their funding. Not only that, but this proposition reflects an attitude of mistrust and disregard towards educators. 

We feel these policies would be extremely harmful. Trump’s campaign has also advocated for federally enforced classroom discussion guidelines. In states with predominantly right-wing politicians, there likely would be a lack of education surrounding issues such as racism and misogyny, which still persist today. We’re all familiar with the saying “history repeats itself.” We’re worried that federal censorship of education on important issues would condone ignorance, and ultimately harm the U.S. education system. 

We believe this is an attempt to limit the education of U.S. history, which is important to acknowledge if we want to move forward as a progressive society. With less funding and content restrictions, education in the U.S will decrease in quality if Trump’s policies are upheld. 

Not only that, many content restrictions are in relation to queer and transgender communities. Under such restrictions, LGBTQ+ communities wouldn’t be acknowledged in schools even though queer and transgender youth will always exist.  We see this policy as a restriction for LGBTQ+ youth to access a safe and supportive learning environment.  

Trump is not the first politician to make threats to the Department of Education. According to an Education Week article, multiple previous Republican leaders such as former President Ronald Reagan and former Kansas Senator Bob Dole pushed for similar initiatives during their time in office. The furthest their attempts reached was a 91-page memo written by Reagan’s Education Secretary, Terrel H. Bell, which proposed extreme changes to the education system in 1981. 

In Trump’s first term as president, a proposal was drafted to merge education with the U.S. Department of Labor in 2018, but it was unsuccessful. It’s difficult to tell exactly how he will approach education reform this time around, as it has only been broadly referenced in his campaign platform. 

Project 2025’s plan, however, expresses intentions to essentially bulldoze the Department, converting specific funds (including the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) and ending Title IX. While the spearhead of the work, the Heritage Foundation, and individual creators of the proposed plan have been linked to Trump in a number of ways, the president-elect has publicly denied any association with Project 2025’s plans.

Considering the state of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, we find the Act to be more valuable than ever. According to Psychology Today, the rise in diagnoses for conditions such as autism and ADHD are a direct result of society’s acknowledgment of neurodiversity. It is clear that having resources like those provided by the Disabilities Act are essential. 

In addition, we as journalists are worried about the state of the media during the coming Trump presidency. We’ve seen Trump deny factual reporting from journalists and declare false content as accurate or factual reporting as false. We believe his attitude toward the media deters the general public’s access to true information. That behavior from the country’s president is extremely harmful to the American people and makes navigating politics even more difficult. 

We feel Trump’s presidency would also significantly impact marginalized groups across the country. Trump and his fellow Republican politicians have used racist rhetoric when referring to immigrants and people of color. Somehow, these comments, and his general attitude toward minorities, were not a deal-breaker for many voters. 

His reelection has already influenced behavior toward marginalized groups of society. Following Election Day, on Nov. 7, text messages were sent out nationwide to African American citizens, including GVSU students. The texts’ wording varied, but the majority told recipients they had been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” Messages such as these were reported in at least 20 states, resulting in people of color across the country feeling instantly targeted and unsafe following the election results.

People of color haven’t been the only minority group faced with hateful attitudes and comments post-election. On Nov. 8, the consistently racist and antisemitic livestreamer Nick Fuentes posted a video to social media rejoicing in Trump’s victory saying, “Hey, b*tch, we control your bodies! Guess what, guys win again.” 

Fuentes spoke in reference to Trump’s support of abortion bans, celebrating the widespread notion among right-wing supporters that control over individuals’ reproductive systems is a victory. Slogans such as “Your body, our choice” have also been circulating through the media since Trump was declared winner. We believe Fuentes’ comments and similar slogans are a direct result of voting someone so blatantly hateful and misogynistic into the presidential office.

As a result of harmful rhetoric from the president-elect himself, women across the country have expressed feelings of disparity and hopelessness. We think that during the upcoming Trump presidency, sexist and misogynistic comments can only be expected to rise. We are nervous to witness the trickle-down effects his misogynistic rhetoric might have on America. 

While many people in the U.S. are struggling with fears or questions about Trump’s upcoming presidency, we want to remind our readers that we are not helpless to invoking change. It is our job as American citizens to stay updated and informed on political actions being taken by the government, and to push back against policies and behaviors that are harmful to the American people. In addition to this, we urge individuals who are feeling stressed or uncertain about the future to take care of their mental health, and to reach out to resources in which support can be found. 

The Michigan rally, which took place at Van Andel Arena, was Trump’s first appearance following an assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. His appearance also took place one day prior to President Biden dropping his candidacy for the presidential race, a mere four months before the election, which led Vice President Kamala Harris to step into play. Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, positioning her as the number one rival to Trump’s campaign. 

Thousands of supporters filled the streets of downtown Grand Rapids, clad in Donald Trump merchandise, American flag prints and red, white and blue. MLive reported that the line in front of Van Andel Arena spanned nearly two miles long, with attendees even camping out the night before to secure their space in the queue. Crowding from Ionia Avenue as far as Martin Luther King Jr. Street, supporters swept towards the Secret Service security checkpoint in hopes of entering the arena. People gathered from many different places, some driving in from neighboring cities or across multiple states to make it to the Michigan rally.

Amy and Mark England, two assistant pastors with the Lighthouse Church of All Nations from Alsip, Illinois, drove up to Grand Rapids to attend the rally. Amy England said that as they waited in line on Ionia Street, she felt unity with the other supporters gathered since everyone had come from so many different backgrounds. 

“If God has ordained your future and your steps to where you’re gonna go, nothing can stop it,” Amy England said. “That’s why we’re here supporting this movement. We’re not even from Grand Rapids. I’ve made friends with people in this line since 10:15 a.m. We all want to go to the same place, together. We’re all civilized and in order, like it should be to support this movement, and that’s what’s important.”

Military veteran Cam Campillo found a way around waiting for hours in line, but it cost him. 

“So I actually paid somebody 20 bucks, cut in line and got here around like two o’clock,” Campillo said. “The art of the deal.”

Many vendors and stalls seemed to open up entirely for the occasion, lining the sidewalks selling T-shirts, flags, caps, pins and other merchandise with Trump’s name and face. Some popular designs included “I’m voting for the felon,” images of Trump’s mugshot and his slogan “Make America Great Again.” Other celebrants of the forty-fifth president took to their own creativity, sporting homemade bedazzled Trump hats, Trump garb and even decorative car accessories.

Many attendees sported look-alike outfits of the former president’s usual navy blue suit, white collared shirt and red tie. Several supporters went as far as completing the outfit with a blonde wig and a faux-bandage over their ear, imitating the injury Trump sustained from the recent assassination attempt when a bullet grazed his head in a near-miss.

The assassination attempt left two dead, including one innocent spectator and the gunman himself, Mathew Crooks. Two attendees faced critical injuries. Trump was rushed offstage by security personnel with a bullet wound to his ear. It was later announced the former president had not sustained any serious injuries. 

Gail Lossing, a vendor selling Trump merchandise across the street from Van Andel Arena, said she’d seen a “good crowd” of customers that day. 

“It was a good crowd, and a very safe environment,” Lossing said. “We’ve got really good products, good quality stuff and people are excited. (Trump’s) got great plans and I just hope he gets in because he’s going to do a lot of good things for Michigan.”

Roger Bouwman regularly operates the weekend hot dog stand “Gringo Dog’s Hotdog Shop” on Monroe St. in Grand Rapids. When he learned the Trump rally would convene while closing up his stand in the early hours of July 20, he and his crew decided to stay put. 

“When we’re closing down about 2:30-3:00 o’clock in the morning, the streets (are normally) empty,” Bouwman said. “But when we were closing down last night, all these guys (other vendors) were setting up and asking me, ‘Hey, are you moving?’ So I didn’t. We’ve been here all night.”

Bouwman said he is a fan of conspiracy theories, which led him to visit Washington D.C. on January 6 when thousands stormed the U.S. Capitol building. He recalled sitting across the street from the Capitol while crowds flooded the Capitol lawns and broke into the building. Bouwman said he met a few others at the Trump rally in Grand Rapids that were also in attendance on January 6.

“I went to January 6 in D.C. (and) I met two people here today that were there,” Bouwman said. “I’m a conspiracy junkie to begin with. I went and sat down at the reflecting pond (the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool) with my buddy and we just watched the barricades get removed. The violence that you saw (broadcast on TV) was all staged for the cameras, nobody went there to cause trouble, (the atmosphere) was a big party.” 

Attendee James Berghuis came to Grand Rapids from Holland, Michigan for the Trump rally. Berghuis stood in line for the event outside for about five hours, but said it “would be worth every second” to see the former president speak.

Berghuis said he’d seen newsfeed coverage of the assassination attempt while at work, and was unsurprised to learn of the attempt on Trump’s life. 

“Everyone seemed to be kind of waiting (for it), like this is probably going to happen someday for the man,” Berhuis said. “I wasn’t surprised. By the grace of God, I really think a lot of good things are going to happen for this country soon underneath new leadership.”

With the fatal events of the recent campaign still fresh in mind, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstram said law enforcement doubled down for the rally. Local police services from around the area worked together to make sure the event was secure. Agencies in attendance included Michigan State Police, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Sparta Police Department and even officers from smaller towns like Rockford and Grandville. Grand Valley State University’s police department (GVPD) and police from Grand Rapids Community College also pitched in, according to Winstram.

“What the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania did was highlight how important it is to make sure we get everything right,” Winstram said. “We’ve had 10 total police agencies here, so essentially it was all hands on deck.”

A small group of protesters also gathered with signs. Bouwman said he spent some time with the protesters, and said that despite the political opposition, the crowd that he served in Grand Rapids was “a great crowd.”

“I went over and hung out with the protesters for a little bit over here,” Bouwman said. “The thing that bothers me most when I was growing up, and even today, is that people tell you the two things you never talk about are politics and religion. Those are the only two things you should be talking about because they’re the two things that will totally mess up your life.”

Attendees faced a security checkpoint manned by the Secret Service with metal detectors, and additional law enforcement officers and Van Andel security in the arena. Upon entering the venue, floods of people were directed to open seats. Doors opened at 1 p.m and by 4 p.m., the balcony was nearly filled.

Winstram said the biggest challenge faced by security was the amount of people trying to attend the rally, and preparation was the most important part.

“I believe the (Trump) campaign said they gave out maybe 35,000 or so tickets, and (Van Andel) only seats about 12,000,” Winstram said. “Logistically, it’s a lot more to worry about. Having zero issues today was a victory for us, but it’s not something we take for granted. Being that we are the second biggest city in Michigan, (and that) Michigan is a battleground state, the blueprint for how to do this was already there.” 

The Grand Rapids rally served as a formal stage to reintroduce Trump’s vice president choice as his official running mate. The pair received formal nominations from the Republican Party at the Republican National Convention on July 15.

The vice presidential nominee for the Republican Party, J.D. Vance, has served as the junior senator of Ohio since 2023 and is a Marine veteran. Campillo, among many attendees, said he was admittedly unfamiliar with Vance. 

“I follow politics a lot,” Campillo said. “I worked for a congressman when I got out of the military. I don’t know a lot about J.D. Vance, so I don’t want to say I don’t trust him, but I don’t know him yet.”

Several attendees said they admired Vance despite not knowing very much about him.

“I think he’s a great pick,” said attendee Angela Davis. “I don’t know a whole lot about him so far, but I know that he comes from a background that he’s able to relate to the people in America that haven’t come from a whole lot. (When) our forefathers started this country, it was founded on values and morals, and everything has completely gone. It’s crazy. I want America to be great again.”

Attendee Chloe Hamilton said she loved the former president’s VP pick, and would brave the line outside the arena over again for the chance to see them both. 

“I’m pumped,” Hamilton said. “I was in a line for, like, forever, and was just hoping to get in. I love (Vance). I love everything (about him), I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.”

Trump entered the arena to thundering applause, and the stadium took to their feet.

At the rally, the former president focused his political approach on sustaining Michigan’s auto and production industries, joked about appealing to Michiganders through baseball, pushed his “no tax on tips” proposal and announced his endorsements of other political candidates in Michigan. Trump also invited Republican Sandy Pensler to the stage, who used the platform to announce he would drop his candidacy in the Michigan race for U.S. Senate, endorsing his main opponent former U.S. Rep. Mike Rodgers.

“If you’re a mover, a driver or anyone else who relies on tips, the (tip) money is going to be 100% yours,” Trump said. “You better go vote. If that doesn’t get you off your ass to go out and vote for Trump, nothing will.”

Trump specified utilizing the manufacturing and automotive powers of Michigan. He said he expects the “four greatest years of the history of our country” upon taking his previous political seat, and promises to “rescue the U.S. auto industry from obliteration.”

“I believe that Michigan is going to have the greatest (four years) of any of the states because I’m going to bring back your auto industry,” said Trump. “I’m not going to take this. We stand on the shoulders of the brave Michigan patriots and tough Michigan workers who manned the first assembly lines. You remember that?”

Social Security stability is another worry that many people share in anticipation of the presidential election. According to Newsweek, trust funds in Social Security are set to be depleted by 2035, which is a looming terror snagging the attention of the American workforce that includes retirees, intermediate and entry-level workers. 

At the rally, Trump promised to use in-country oil to help curb Social Security costs without cutting the program– a jab at the Biden-Harris administration’s discussion of extending Social Security to immigrants that enter America without legal authorization.

“All of these immigrants coming in, (Democrats are) trying to put them onto Medicare and Social Security,” Trump said. “Not only do they want them to vote, they want to destroy Social Security and Medicare. I went through four years, it was never even a topic that was allowed to be discussed because we have the liquid gold under our feet and the growth mechanisms in this country. We don’t have to cut Social Security.”

Both parties plans do not hold a strong chance to stop the collapse of Social Security, according to Forbes. Harris’ plan places higher taxes on high-income individuals, who are more financially capable, and extends benefits for low-income persons. However, the expansion of benefits for low-income individuals dissolves in the long term. Trump’s plan to raise income in the country through oil drilling among other actions is not projected to create enough funds to support Social Security either. His plan would also lower the price of gas in the country, but increase harmful carbon emissions by millions of metric tons.   

This issue, among several others, polarizes the candidates in the presidential election.

The event concluded with Trump promising action on his first day in office. 

“If you took the 10 worst presidents in the history of the United States and added them up, they would not have done near the destruction to our country as Joe Biden and his horrible administration have done,” Trump said. “On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and any other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the shoulders of our children.”

As a result of the rally, Michigan’s importance to the presidential election has been on display. Besides Grand Rapids having been the first stop for the Trump-Vance campaign, Harris visited

Detroit on Labor Day to campaign with union leaders. Rumors are also swirling that a future presidential debate may be hosted in Grand Rapids.

Young voters are often an overlooked demographic that historically hold incredible power to influence important elections. According to CIRCLE, there will be over 40 million college-aged, Gen Z voters eligible to participate in the 2024 election. GVSU is a ballot location for residents of Allendale, and the University will be holding several voting registration events leading up to the election in November. 

Gallery • 67 Photos

GVL / Emma Armijo

The saga has since continued through a myriad of legal actions designed to stall the Department of Justice’s evaluation and investigation of documents seized from the property. 

Such has resulted in the appointment of a special master for the case, barring the Justice Department from using any seized documents until they are reviewed. From the nature of the classified documents, this potentially prevents the documents from being revealed publicly. The issue that remains is how our organizations provide information accurately and in a timely manner.  

Other complications related to a lack of transparency from the Trump legal team have muddied the process and slowed a final determination from federal authorities as to the extent of any potential crime.

Instances like this contribute to uncertainty among the public as well as to the stability of our democratic institutions and order. By providing the public with the proper information, individuals can try to maintain faith in institutions and make informed decisions.

A 2022 Gallup Poll found that confidence in all three branches of government has dropped in the past year. The lack of faith comes from a combination of factors including misinformation, lack of information and various issues across the nation such as inflation, COVID-19 and social issues.

The instance of former President Trump’s hesitancy to return confidential documents belonging to the U.S. government and that government’s hesitancy to take corrective action continue to contribute to such erosion in trust.

As recently as this weekend, the National Archives announced that it still has yet to receive the entirety of missing government records taken by Trump upon his departure from office.

As the process has unfolded over the last two months, the need for sustained and consistent government transparency has been thrust into the national spotlight. Now more than ever, it’s important for our local and national governments to display integrity.

All levels of government, including local entities and administrations at GVSU and surrounding areas, need to be open with individuals who are subject to the consequences of the actions from authorities.

This is just as important at a lower level as it is at a national level. On college campuses, it’s important for leaders like those at GVSU to be open with community members regarding their operations to instill confidence and trust in university institutions among students and faculty.

Transparency is necessary in the digital age where speculation runs rampant and the barrier for entry of information spread is low. It helps foster open communication and keeps officials accountable to their constituents. 

Open communication helps to create inclusivity for those who feel their voices aren’t heard enough while also creating the opportunity for those that are underrepresented to express their needs.

It’s important to hold people in power accountable for their actions. Having the information accessible makes it harder for those in authoritative positions to hide any potential wrongdoings that endanger the public and betray our trust.

Former President Donald Trump traveled to Michigan on Oct. 1 to rally support for the Republican party’s nominees for office.

Gathering at Macomb Community College in Warren, Republican hopefuls for various state and congressional offices hoped to energize a base in the state’s third most populace county and one that supported Trump in both his races for the presidency.

Nominees in attendance included gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon, attorney general nominee Matthew Deperno and secretary of state nominee Kristina Karamo.

While speaking, Trump and fellow Republicans took aim at growing concerns among the electorate including increased inflation under Democratic control in Washington and heightened crime rates in Michigan since Democrats took control of statewide offices in 2018.

Trump also reiterated false claims of voter fraud altering the outcome of the 2020 election that he said stripped victories from himself and others like then-U.S. Senate candidate John James, now running against Democrat Carl Marlinga to represent Michigan’s 10^th U.S. Congressional District.

The rally came as Dixon, Deperno and Karamo all trailed their Democratic opponents in their races for statewide office, according to the most recent EPIC-MRA polling.

GV Campus Health Center hosts open house following new partnership

Grand Valley State University’s Campus Health Center hosted an open house on Sept. 27 to commemorate the university’s new partnership with local healthcare provider Trinity Health Medical Group.

The open house welcomed any and all members of the GVSU community who wished to meet Trinity staff and explore the Campus Health Center and its offerings.

According to GVNext, the event featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting by officials including GVSU President Philomena Mantella and an introduction of Trinity staff to community members in attendance.

GV area gas prices rise after weeks of decline

Following an extended period of steady declines in local gas prices, areas surrounding Grand Valley State University are again seeing rising costs at the pump reminiscent of the past summer.

According to the national gas price analysis organization GasBuddy, prices in the area surrounding GVSU were set between $4.03 and $4.19 as of Oct. 1.

The increase coincides with a national and statewide uptick in gas prices in recent days.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the current national average for gas sits at $3.80 per gallon as of Oct. 1 – up from $3.70 a week prior. In Michigan, the average price sat at $4.16 per gallon on the same day compared to $3.89 one week prior. This currently makes Michigan the 10^th most expensive state in the nation in terms of current gas prices.

The plot of “Rorschach” follows the gradual uncovering of a conspiracy related to the attempted assassination of a conservative presidential candidate, Governor Turley, who in the universe of “Watchmen,” is championing the GOP’s return to glory after years of enduring a successful progressive president. Turley’s campaign’s slogan is “Come the Conservative Revolution.” Not quite Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” but close. Reading the story, in dialogue from Turley supporters and scenes set in campaign rallies, the sentiment is there.

The point of “Rorschach” is more about superheroes and their role in the culture. The character Rorschach, introduced in Moore’s “Watchmen,” is a psychopathic, libertarian vigilante who would sooner die than compromises his — admittedly, frequently warped — beliefs. “Rorschach” pursues this theme of compromise, and boasting a nuanced cast of characters, picks up where Moore left off in his never-ending quest to analyze the superhero.

“Rorschach” is certainly a must-read for fans of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “The Batman,” which gave their main characters some genuine flaws; Tom Holland’s Spider-Man having a total willingness to take a life for a selfish reason and Robert Pattinson’s Batman being a hero and inspiration to domestic terrorists. King’s “Rorschach” presents three deeply human superheroes so hopelessly delusional and angry that they probably shouldn’t be called superheroes at all.

So, while the story isn’t really about American politics at its core, “Rorschach” is stress relief in the face of insurmountable political corruption.

While King’s story asks ‘What’s the point of superheroes?’ it also asks, much more quietly and maybe even subconsciously, ‘What if Trump’s initial election (or possible upcoming re-election) was preventable?’ It’s not an especially mature or nuanced question, and the answer —  if the story is, in any way, offering an answer —  is ugly and borders on horror.

To partially spoil the events of “Rorschach,” Governor Turley doesn’t, in the end, stand much of a chance of winning the election. There’s some liberal escapism and fantasy in reading a story where, ultimately, Trump — or a nuanced, not wholly unsympathetic cracked-mirror reflection of Trump — loses.

Beyond the base itch that King’s story scratches, its reading can serve a more meaningful purpose.

“Rorschach,” like many of King’s works written between 2016 and 2021, is informed by the stress anxiety that he and 60% of Americans experienced during Trump’s chaotic years as president. For four years, and beyond — like the spouse of a supreme court justice aiding in the attempted overturning of the election — the scandals and amorality never stopped.

To most Americans, those were a rough four years, and they were markedly worse for those who were directly targeted by Trump’s policies, like the immigrants inhumanely detained in camps and the members of the LGBTQ community whose rights were trampled.

Trump and other somehow more extreme candidates have already begun their 2024 campaigns for public office. The U.S. is being threatened with another four years of hyper-capitalistic and aggressively authoritarian leadership. With moderates and progressives rendered politically lethargic and cynically detached by a venomous presidency and a global pandemic, the future facing the world of “Watchmen”– an America overtaken by a wave of revenge-minded republicans– is facing our world, the real world, too.

“Rorschach” shouldn’t be read as a political manifesto or a handbook for dealing with conservatives. Superficial readings like that are a disservice to King and Fornes’ rich and complex story. You should read “Rorschach” because it stokes interest in the history of the comic book industry, because it’s an engaging political thriller and because it advances the long-running, often stagnant conversation about superheroes and their purpose.

But, as you read “Rorschach,” for all those reasons, let it be — quietly, and maybe insignificantly — a haunting reminder of the past and a grim portent of the near-future.