OP-ED: Presidents’ Day 2024 – Trump is Still a Threat to Our Democracy, Personal Freedoms

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day this year, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the leadership that has shaped our nation – past, and present.

In 2020, Wisconsinites and voters nationwide turned out in record numbers across zip codes and demographics to demand change. This Presidents’ Day, we can celebrate the myriad of changes that President Biden has brought across our local communities in the past 4 years.

From signing one of the largest federal investments ever made in Wisconsin’s local infrastructure, to lowering costs, creating thousands of new good paying jobs, protecting marriage equality, and standing up for our reproductive rights, President Biden is delivering for our local communities.

But it hasn’t been an easy road. Before leaving office, Donald Trump refused to do what every President has done before him and submit to the will of the voters by undergoing a peaceful transfer of power. Trump instead encouraged a violent attack on our nation’s Capitol, and with his MAGA allies attempted to undermine our democracy by overthrowing a fair and free election decided by the will of the people.

Trump currently has 4 federal criminal charges against him for his role in the January 6 attack, and several more stemming from a grand jury of everyday Americans reviewing mountains of evidence and witness testimony to determine Trump should be charged with violating the Espionage Act and committing both obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy.

While in office, Trump also appointed the MAGA Supreme Court justices that overturned our right to abortion protected under Roe v. Wade – he is still bragging about his central role in taking that fundamental freedom away from us, and he’s not done yet.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Trump already has plans in place to further gut abortion access and vowed to be a “dictator” on day one should he take office again in November. He also recently encouraged attacks on U.S. allies by Russia.

But in Wisconsin and nationwide, we deserve leaders who act honorably and honestly in our best interests, and those who do not must be held to account.

This Presidents’ Day, take a minute to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and what we want for 2024 and beyond.