Commentary |
America for sale; corporations and billionaires flooded Trump’s inauguration with cash

by Craig Holman
      OtherWords



The nation has never seen influence peddling like we just witnessed at Trump’s second, billionaire-stuffed inauguration.

President Trump sounded a lot of populist notes on the campaign trail. But as he took the oath of office for the second time, he was joined onstage by billionaires and CEOs who’d spent millions to be there — leaving supporters who’d traveled across the country to attend literally out in the cold.

Presidential inaugurations have always been an opportunity for wealthy special interests to curry favor with the incoming administration with generous inaugural donations. But the nation has never seen influence peddling like we just witnessed at Trump’s second inauguration.

Shattering all records, the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, Inc. raised and spent over $200 million in special interest money celebrating the 2024 election victory. (The all-time previous record was $107 million for Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. By contrast, Biden’s 2021 inauguration raised and spent nearly $62 million.)

Nearly all this financing comes from companies and wealthy business leaders who have business pending before the incoming administration. Rarely are small donations received from citizens simply excited about a new president.

The public won’t get a full picture of Trump’s inaugural donors until the spring, when the one-and-only disclosure report is filed 90 days after the inauguration. But the ones we know about so far are painting an ugly picture of corporations, government contractors, billionaires, and millionaires seeking to endear themselves to Trump and his administration.


Access itself does not necessarily mean success at buying official favors. But the sheer volume of today’s inaugural donations suggests that wealthy special interests believe it is worth the investment.

All the self-reporting donors — including Big Tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI — pledged $1 million or more. The cryptocurrency firm Ripple pledged $5 million. In fact, the cryptocurrency industry even hosted its own inaugural ball.

And of course, Wall Street is cozying up with major donations from Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin.

“EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!” Trump marvels on his Truth Social account.

Some of these new friends previously expressed opposition toward Trump, who has a history of seeking revenge against his adversaries and even said he might seek retribution in his second administration. “When this election is over … I would have every right to go after them,” Trump said of his political opponents over the summer.

In addition to being former Trump critics, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Sam Altman of OpenAI have their sights on major government contracts from the new administration. Each has now donated $1 million to Trump’s Inauguration. Zuckerberg and Bezos even partied with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and at the inauguration in DC.

What else does all this money buy? Access. Access itself does not necessarily mean success at buying official favors. But the sheer volume of today’s inaugural donations suggests that wealthy special interests believe it is worth the investment.

Presidential inaugurations have not always been such a soiree for the wealthy. Nixon in 1973 spent less than $4 million on his inauguration. Carter in 1977 spent $3.5 million. Thomas Jefferson in 1801 simply walked to the Capitol to be sworn in and then walked home.

The very ripeness for scandal this time around calls for reasonable restrictions on the sources and amounts of inaugural donations. Corporations, and certainly government contractors, should be banned from donating.

Contributions should be limited to avoid even the appearance of buying favors. The disclosure requirement should be vastly expanded to include disclosing expenditures as well as donations. And rules should be established on how surplus funds are dispensed.

Presidential inaugurations should be celebrations for the nation as a whole, not influence-peddling opportunities for the very wealthy.

Craig Holman is the government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

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Sentinel Digest |
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Nov 14, 2024 04:28 am  .::. 
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TOLONO - St. Joseph-Ogden's impressive 10-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as they fell 35-7 to Unity in the Class 3A second-round football playoffs.




Nov 14, 2024 01:58 am  .::. 
Unity shocks St. Joseph-Ogden with dominant defense, advances to quarterfinal round

TOLONO - In a second-round playoff matchup Saturday that saw both defensive grit and offensive fireworks, the Unity Rockets (8-3) defeated the previously unbeaten St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans (10-1) with a commanding 35-7 score. Unity’s defense held the Spartans, who averaged five touchdowns per game during their undefeated regular season, to their lowest scoring output since 2022, shutting down a high-powered, dominant offense that many thought would be difficult to contain.




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Nov 10, 2024 11:01 pm  .::. 
Don't get snowed by holiday scams

Scams are unfortunately a fact of life these days. If it's not identity or data theft, it's credit breaches and scam phone calls. Many of us are getting scam texts, too. As the holidays roll in, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) wants you to know we are on the job, working to protect you and your mail and packages.




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Welcoming a baby to the family can be an exciting time, but it also impacts the existing family dynamic and lifestyle. First-time siblings may be overwhelmed and confused by these sudden changes that come with a new baby.




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Photo Gallery |Spartan win sets collision course with Rockets




Nov 04, 2024 10:12 pm  .::. 
Still running out front: Unity collects sectional title, SJO qualifies for XC state

MATTOON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet at Lake Land College in Mattoon saw area powerhouse Unity advance to the state meet for the fourth consecutive year, finishing in first place with a score of 79 points. This year’s event, held on Saturday, November 2, took place under cloudy skies and cool conditions, with crip temperatures in the upper-50s at race time.




Nov 04, 2024 05:48 pm  .::. 
Guest Commentary | Seasons come and go, your perspective colors them all

We are entering into a different season in America. It’s not a season everyone likes or voted for but the season is changing. For some it’s better, for some it’s worse. For some it’s good news, for some it’s bad news.


St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Unity, SJO, and Uni-High boys advance to IHSA State Cross Country State Finals


Nov 03, 2024 11:37 pm  .::. 
Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life


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Seggebruch leads Spartans, SJO falls to St. Thomas More in regional title match


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Voting in Illinois: Ensuring election integrity and voting security


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KEYWORDS: SJO Football, Unity Rockets Football, State Cross Country, Sentinel High School Sports, Election 2024

Voting in Illinois: Ensuring election integrity and voting security

URBANA - As election season approaches, understanding the voting process in Illinois is crucial for making informed choices. The state takes significant measures to ensure that voting and ballot counting systems are secure, reliable, and transparent.

Election officials in Illinois regularly conduct tests on voting and ballot counting machines, performing “logic and accuracy” tests to confirm that votes for every candidate and issue on the ballot are counted correctly. These tests are standard practice across almost all states, aimed at preserving the integrity of the electoral process.

In Illinois, all voting systems must be certified by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) or tested by an EAC-accredited Voting System Test Laboratory before use. The state's ballot handling procedures are designed to protect against both intentional and unintentional ballot destruction, ensuring the integrity of both mail-in and in-person voting.


Prior to and following elections, Illinois conducts thorough testing of voting equipment and ballot counting processes, which are open for public observation. Post-election audits, including risk-limiting audits, are also performed to verify that vote counts are accurate, reinforcing public trust in the results.

"Election officials implement ballot processing and tabulation safeguards designed to ensure each ballot cast in the election can be correctly counted," explained Becky Simon, President of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. "These safeguards include chain of custody procedures, auditable logging requirements, and canvass processes. Illinois safeguards mail ballots by verifying signatures, tracking barcodes, and setting clear chains of custody for all ballots."

Amidst these safeguards, voters should remain vigilant against false claims regarding election results. Disinformation can spread quickly, often fueled by individuals seeking to undermine confidence in the democratic process. If you encounter misleading information online, you can report it at reportdisinfo.org. It is essential to respect all votes cast, regardless of the outcome.

Every election, organizations like the League of Women Voters play a pivotal role in equipping voters with essential information. By sponsoring candidate forums and providing resources like IllinoisVoterGuide.org, they help ensure that voters are prepared to make their voices heard.

In the lead-up to elections, it’s common for voters to receive calls and texts from political groups, urging them to support specific candidates or measures. However, it is important to be aware of potential scams that exploit these tactics. Here are some red flags to watch for:

  • Be cautious if a caller or texter requests personal information, such as your Social Security number. They may falsely claim you can vote early by phone or fix nonexistent errors in your voter registration.
  • Avoid sharing credit card or financial information over the phone, especially if the caller offers seemingly free gifts in exchange for participation in surveys.
  • If asked to donate over the phone, verify the legitimacy of the request by asking for a website where you can find more information.

Being informed and vigilant is key to participating in a secure electoral process. As voters in Illinois prepare for the upcoming elections, knowing how to navigate the system and protect oneself against misinformation and scams is more important than ever.


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Keywords: Voting in Illinois, Election integrity, Ballot counting process, Voter information, Election disinformation, Protect against election scams

Guest Commentary |
"I believe she will be much worse"

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


This may be the most frightening Halloween of all time. People across America are scared stiff as we are bombarded 24-hours a day with terrifying scenes splashed across television, our telephones and tablets. We can’t get away from the howls, screeches, growls, ghastly facial expressions and horned headed characters spewing menacing rhetoric. All of this has been brought to us by our Democratic and Republican parties.

The scariest part of Halloween is that there will be five more days of political campaigning and political advertisements. But wait, what happens if the election is so close and so tight that a winner is not able to be called next Tuesday night? What happens if the voting is so close that several of the states must recount and recount? We could be in for the longest Halloween in American history.

We are already scared to death. Democrats hate Trump and are terrified he might win. There is no limit on what is being said about him. Any woman who will come forth with a damaging comment about Trump will have the national spotlight. Anyone who can come up with a scenario that would make Trump the illegitimate son or grandson of Hitler will receive airtime on national television. Of course, Republicans will play Kamala’s bloopers, giggles and nonsensical answers time and again. By the way, whatever happened to the Obama slogan, “Whenever they go low, we go high?”

Just hope, and I mean hope and pray that whoever wins this election wins decisively so that when we go to bed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning that we know for certain who has been elected President of the United States.

Most everyone knows I’ve already voted for Trump. This doesn’t make me hate you if you vote for Kamala Harris. I just think you are making a bad decision. There are probably other people who write for this very good news source who have a differing opinion. What makes a newspaper or news blog good is the ability to print both sides of a viewpoint. Most of us long for the old days when television anchors presented the news and all sides of the story.

Trump is strong on border security. It’s a no-brainer that our country is in trouble with so many millions illegally entering the country. We are losing our country. We are becoming a third world country right before our eyes.

Our military and Veterans were treated well under Trump. We need a strong military. We had achieved worldwide peace under Trump. What is going on between Ukraine and Russia and now North Korea is draining our country financially. The billions of dollars never seem to stop flowing out to Ukraine. The Middle East is now a powder keg that could ignite World War III.

I can’t see Kamala Harris commanding respect from any of the other world leaders in discussions to solve the conflicts. What would she do? Call Oprah, Taylor Swift, or Beyonce?

Trump has promised he will do away with seniors paying tax on their social security benefits. This would save 70 million seniors in this country. Trump’s policy on energy will be a boom to the United States. America drills oil and gas and burns both cleaner than any other nation. China, India and Russia are going to continue with oil and gas. We can do it much cleaner than them and financially save our country. We should also use our own wind, oil, gas and coal. A balanced approach will help our nation as well as our entire planet.

With Kamala we will get four more years of what we’ve had, maybe. She won’t be as good as Joe Biden. I believe she will be much, much worse. Will she be able to take the abortion issue away from the states? It is doubtful. For years, Congress wanted to put this in the hands of the states and it is unlikely it will ever be taken away.

On Wednesday, November 6th, we are still Americans. We need to act like it regardless of the election outcome. We must work for the good of this country and always work to help each other be the best Americans we can be.

On November 6th, let’s end Halloween and begin our season of Thanksgiving.


Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


Early voting in Champaign County; here's the dates and times

URBANA - Early voting is now open county-wide for the 2024 election in Champaign County. Voters can cast their ballots at any designated early voting locations in the county before Election Day. You can vote at ANY polling place, including your home polling place, regardless of where you live in the county.

Upon arrival, check in with Election Judges, and follow the procedure to cast your ballot. Voters do not need to show ID unless they have updated their voter registration or their signature does not match the records on file.

Before you head over to vote, look up what will be on your ballot and then research the candidates and issues. You are allowed to take a list of candidates you want to vote for into the booth with you. Learn more about researching your ballot and the candidates.

In case of any issues while voting, such as filling in the ballot incorrectly, Election Judges will be available to assist with a replacement ballot. Once your ballot is submitted, it cannot be rescinded.

Early voting is available at the locations and times below.

Brookens Administrative Center Gymnasium
1776 E Washington Street, Urbana, IL 61802:

October 7th – October 11th
October 14th – October 18th
Monday-Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM

Monday, October 21st – Monday, November 4th

  • Monday – Friday: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
  • Saturday, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
  • Sunday, 10:00AM – 4:00PM

  • Additional Early Voting Sites
    Open October 21st, 2024 to November 4th, 2024

    Days / Hours:

  • Monday – Friday, 11:00AM – 6:00PM
  • Saturday, 10:00AM – 4:00PM
  • Sunday, 1:00PM – 4:00PM
  • Champaign Public Library
    200 W Green Street, Champaign, 61820

    Illini Union
    1401 W Green Street, Urbana, 61801

    Lake of the Woods Pavilion
    109 S Lake of the Woods Road, Mahomet, 61853

    Leonhard Recreation Center
    2307 W Sangamon Drive, Champaign, 61821

    Meadowbrook Community Church
    1902 S Duncan Road, Champaign, 61821

    Parkland College
    Building E – 2400 W Bradley Avenue, Champaign, 61821

    Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
    802 E Douglas, St. Joseph, 61873

    Rantoul Youth Center
    1306 Country Club Lane, Rantoul, 61866

    Savoy Recreation Center
    402 W Graham Drive, Savoy 61874

    The Church of The Living God
    312 E Bradley Avenue, Champaign 61820

    Tolono Public Library
    111 E Main Street, Tolono 61880


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    Voting, Early Voting in Champaign County, Election 2024

    Editorial |
    Pro or Con?

    political cartoon
    A nation of laws... or lawlessness?


    Voting in Illinois is easy with various options provided by the state

    by Terri Dee
    Illinois News Connection

    CHICAGO - Illinois voters have several ways to cast their ballot in the upcoming election, whether by mail, in person or early voting.

    The Illinois Policy Institute, a political watchdog, reported 2022's general election produced the second-highest voter turnout in a midterm year in 25 years.

    Matt Dietrich, public information officer for the Illinois State Board of Elections, wants voters to observe important deadlines for registering to vote. For unregistered voters, he advised there is still time to change their status.

    "Voter registration never closes until the polls close on Election Day," Dietrich pointed out. "You can get registered from now right up through and even on November 5th. The online voter registration stays open until 11:59 pm, October 20th."

    Voter inquiries can be answered through an online portal on the board's website, elections.il.gov.

    Beginning Oct. 9, unregistered voters wanting in-person voting can do so at any early voting location. Dietrich added they will have to cast their early vote ballot at the time of registration.

    Two forms of verifiable identification are needed, one which reflects who you are and the other, your voting residence. If you have recently moved to Illinois from another state, an unexpired out-of-state driver's license is accepted. A piece of government mail sent to your residence, a bank statement, or a pay stub with your voting residence is also sufficient.

    Another popular choice among Illinoisans is to vote by mail. There was a "slight uptick of 10%," Dietrich reported, even before the pandemic in 2020. He added 2 million people tried it for the first time and deemed the process as safe, convenient and trackable.

    "We and all the local election authorities really pushed voting by mail for safety reasons," Dietrich explained. "In the end, we had one-third of the total votes in 2020, cast by mail, about one-third cast early in person and one-third cast on Election Day in person."

    Dietrich said in 2022, voting by mail slightly exceeded the number of voters who were voting early in person. He recommends residents wanting to cast mail-in ballots request their ballot far before the Oct. 31 deadline.


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    Keywords: Illinois early voting locations, Register to vote in Illinois, Illinois mail-in ballot process Illinois voter registration deadlines, Voting by mail in Illinois, Illinois State Board of Elections voter portal

    A threat to democracy, fighting back against voter suppression and intimidation

    SNS - The right to vote is legally protected from intimidation and harassment. Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate, harass, or deceive voters at home or at the polls.

    Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot. It is any act that deliberately restricts or discourages certain groups from voting, undermining electoral fairness. You may not be threatened, coerced, frightened, assaulted, compelled, or discouraged to vote one way or another, or not to vote at all. The right to vote necessarily includes the right to be free from intimidation and harassment.

    “A true democracy is where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate,” said Becky Simon, president of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. “We encourage you to join the League of Women Voters of Illinois in our fight to support everyone’s freedom to vote.”

    After the Civil War, African Americans in the former Confederacy were able to exercise their newly won rights to vote; to run for local, state, and federal offices; and to serve on juries. These rights were given and protected by federal laws and the 14th and 15th Amendments. The laws, adopted to curtail white supremacist violence, specifically criminalized the terrorist activities of white supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and authorized the use of federal troops to protect polling stations and suppress white supremacist violence.

    Over time, white supremacists found other ways to control voting in their towns, counties, and states without direct physical violence. Political parties have used five key methods to suppress voting by targeted groups: voter ID laws, gerrymandering, voter purges, felony disenfranchisement, and criminalizing voting through the arbitrary enforcement of oppressive, unfair laws.

    Today, experts warn that voter suppression and intimidation trends are moving to the digital spaces, becoming embedded in technology.

    "It might include robocalls and social media posts that provide incorrect information about where to vote or promote the false idea that voters' personal information or ballot choices will be shared with the government, the public, or law enforcement," wrote the League of Women Voters of Illinois in a recent statement.

    The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVI) is fighting voter suppression and intimidation by mailing thousands of Get Out the Vote postcards, deploying nonpartisan poll watchers throughout the state, observing public testing of voting equipment, and actively fighting misinformation and disinformation.

    According to the ACLU, "More than 400 anti-voter bills have been introduced in 48 states. These bills erect unnecessary barriers for people to register to vote, vote by mail, or vote in person."

    What should you do if you witness voter suppression or intimidation? Document incidents thoroughly using your phone (outside the polling place) or by taking notes. If your voter registration is denied at your polling place, you may ask a poll worker to double-check your registration, and you may still cast a provisional ballot.

    The LWVI recommends that you avoid engaging with groups or individuals who are actively trying to intimidation fellow voters and immediately reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141 or the Election Protection Hotline:

    English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
    Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
    Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)


    Viewpoint |
    Kamala Harris’ and Donald Trump’s records on abortion policy couldn’t be more different – here’s what actions they both have taken while in office

    Rachel Rebouché, Temple University


    Abortion is a critical, if not the most important, issue for many voters – especially women, according to polls – ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.


    Harris and Trump have starkly different track records on abortion.

    Since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee in August 2024, she has been vocal about her support for abortion rights. Specifically, she supports Congress passing a federal law that would protect abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court in 2022 overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which recognized a constitutional right to abortion.

    Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, meanwhile, has boasted about nominating three Supreme Court justices who were among the court majority that voted in 2022 to abandon a constitutional right to abortion. However, in September 2024, Trump said he would not sign a federal abortion ban, reversing course from his previous statements. He also did not answer a question during the September presidential debate about whether he would veto legislation that bans abortion.

    Harris and Trump have starkly different track records on abortion. As an academic, my scholarship focuses on reproductive health law, health care law and family law. In this piece, and in anticipation of the election, I briefly consider the broad strokes of each candidate’s past positions on and actions regarding abortion.

    Harris’ abortion record

    As California’s attorney general, Harris co-sponsored the Reproductive FACT Act, which, among other requirements, mandated that crisis pregnancy centers inform patients that they are not licensed medical facilities and that abortion services are available elsewhere. These centers are nonprofit organizations that counsel pregnant people against abortion, sometimes using deceptive tactics.

    Anti-abortion groups sued to block the law once it went into effect. And, in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law on First Amendment grounds.


    As a U.S. senator, Harris opposed anti-abortion bills that would have conferred personhood rights on fetuses.

    In 2017, Harris investigated the tactics of undercover videographers at Planned Parenthood clinics who, through deception and fraud, sought to entrap clinicians into making controversial, though legal, statements, and who possibly contravened state law on secret recordings.

    As a U.S. senator, Harris opposed anti-abortion bills that would have conferred personhood rights on fetuses. None of them ultimately passed.

    Conversely, Harris championed various bills that would have protected and advanced reproductive rights. In 2019, for example, Harris was a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have enacted a federal statutory right to abortion. It also did not pass.

    Finally, during Harris’ tenure as vice president, the Biden administration has used its executive power to ease barriers to abortion access, primarily through federal agency actions. The Food and Drug Administration, for example, removed a rule in 2021 that prohibited mailing medication abortion.

    The Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance affirming that federal law requires emergency rooms to perform an abortion when it is medically necessary to stabilize a patient needing urgent care.

    The Biden-Harris administration also supported federal legislation that includes accommodations for abortion. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, enacted in 2023, requires employers to provide time off for a worker’s miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion.


    Trump began his presidency in 2016 by promising to appoint Supreme Court justices who wouldoverturn Roe v. Wade.

    Although the Biden-Harris administration’s abortion policy is not necessarily based on just the vice president, Harris, since Roe’s reversal, has been at the helm of the administration’s “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour, speaking nationally in support of a right to abortion. Harris has also stressed the damage done in 14 states, in particular, where abortion is banned throughout pregnancy or after six weeks of gestation.

    Trump’s abortion record

    During Trump’s tenure as president, he supported various changes – in the form of judicial appointments, federal funding and agency actions, some led by anti-abortion federal employees – in the service of making it harder for people to gain access to abortion care.

    Trump began his presidency in 2016 by promising to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. He nominated three justices – Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch – who joined the majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, reversing Roe in June 2022.

    The Senate confirmed 226 judges whom Trump nominated to the lower levels of federal courts. Trump’s nominations followed a campaign pledge in 2016 that he “would appoint pro-life judges.” Some were on record as being against abortion, and some believed that embryos should be treated like children.

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    From the start, Trump’s administration prioritized defunding Planned Parenthood clinics, which offer abortion care and receive federal funding under the federal Title X program for other family planning services. Trump signed a bill in 2017 to allow states to strip funding from Planned Parenthood clinics and other organizations that offer abortion, even though abortion care was not supported by the Title X funding.

    The Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to replace the Affordable Care Act and undermine its coverage for contraceptives as well as its neutral stance on insurance coverage for abortion. Trump supported bills such as the never-passed American Health Care Act to limit abortion coverage in private health insurance plans.

    Trump also appointed several people with anti-abortion positions to his administration, including Charmaine Yoest, the former CEO for the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, who served as a top communications official at the Department of Health and Human Services.

    The Trump administration advanced numerous other anti-abortion policies. For instance, the Department of Human and Health Services’ 2017 strategic plan defined life as beginning at conception – a decision that supported funding for crisis pregnancy centers and abstinence-only education programs.

    Finally, the Trump administration adopted an anti-abortion approach when it came to foreign policy. Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, which prohibits foreign nongovernmental organizations that receive U.S. funding from performing abortions or referring patients for abortion care elsewhere. Under the Mexico City Policy, Trump in 2017 removed US$8.8 billion in U.S. foreign aid for overseas programs that provide or refer for abortions.

    In 2017, Trump also suspended U.S. funding to the United Nations Population Fund, an agency focused on family planning for low-income people around the world, among other issues, which does “not promote abortion” but “supports the right of all women to get post-abortion care.” Biden restored funding to the U.N. agency in 2021.

    In the coming weeks, both candidates will have a lot to say about abortion, possibly refining or changing their stances on aspects of abortion law. In assessing what both candidates have to say about how their administration will approach abortion, voters might consider what we know about their past actions.


    The Conversation About the author:
    Rachel Rebouché is a Professor of Law at Temple University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


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