Text by MERWA MAROF and EMILY YAO
THE NEXT
LEFT-LEANING STUDENTS SHARE HOPES, PRIORITIES FOR BIDEN’S FUTURE PLANS
Biden’s win, yet disapproves of his politics. She started the Leftist’s Club when she felt like her views were not represented at the broader Democrats Club. “The Democrats do not represent the left at all,” Seah says. “To me, they’re just a moderate version of the right. They’re just not bold enough.” As an Asian member of the LGBTQ+ community, Seah realized that the standards of Democratic Party were very different than her own. She does not believe that the Democrats’ goals of compromising help protect the rights and safety of TANDING AT THE TOP of the minorities. Capitol building steps, President “They [Democrats] always talk Joe Biden places his left hand on about having unity with Republicans,” his family’s bible and raises his Seah says. “But to me, I see that as imright hand, preparpossible, because why ing to take the oath would I want to have swearing him into the A lot of people are unity with people who office of the president want to see me eradigoing to pay less of the United States. cated?” With the presence of attention to what he Seah’s largest conmasks and the absence cern for the new presdoes, even if what of spectating crowds, idency is that people Biden’s inauguration he’s doing is bad.” will overlook Biden’s proved to be a remarkactions, and not hold ably unconventional — MICHAELA SEAH, senior him and his admintransition of power. istration accountable As Biden starts the way they have tohis presidential term, Verde reached out to wards Trump. select left-leaning student activists at Palo “Because he’s not Trump, a lot of Alto High School to explore their hopes for people are going to pay attention less to the years to come. what he does, even if what he’s doing is bad,” Seah says. “I’m scared that he’ll pass Problematic politicians something akin to the Patriot Act, where Senior Michaela Seah was relieved by he expands the power of the FBI or CIA.”
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Biden’s first executive actions 22 FEBRUARY 2021
Biden’s environmental efforts Biden has signed many executive orders that senior Emilie Difede, co-founder of the Environmental Justice Club, is
JAN
20
Signs 17 executive orders, including reversing the “Muslim Ban,” and stopping the U.S. from withdrawing from the World Health Organization.
JAN
21
Signs 11 executive orders including requiring masks mandates on public transportation, and expanding COVID-19 testing capacities.
JAN
22
Signs executive orders that facilitate delivery of stimulus payments, address COVID-19 economic relief and assist veterans with debt.
