Do the people hold power?

A glance into the first week of President Trump’s second take at the US presidency

It is alarming to envision a world where social justice is upheld for the most marginalized and oppressed in society – solely through political goodwill. Unfortunately, this is quickly becoming the prevalent trend, globally with world leaders seemingly ‘ignoring’ international human rights and normative standards.  

I recount previous incidents such as the Israel and Gaza conflict where Israel was asked by the International Court of Justice to stop killing Palestinians (my own views) – they did not. A ceasefire deal was reached but before the ink dried, there were reports of 82 people killed in Gaza by Israeli forces. As at now it all seems quiet, with the ceasefire agreement being upheld and Hamas releasing Israeli captives. From the civil conflict in Sudan, to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, to the proliferation of Congo and mass genocide of its people for resources and Myanmar; the world is bleeding and applying pressure doesn’t seem to be stopping the bleeding. 

Reversed human rights gains 

As 2025 begins President Trump is back in power. His inauguration speech was an emphasis of his revamped campaign manifesto. First on the list, was exerting a new immigration policy closing the southern border with Southern America. Among many other assertions and consequently executive orders – we’re witnessing the establishment of a colorblind America. The 47th president of the United States of America said, “I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.    (Applause) we will forge a society that is colorblind, and merit based.”  

He has called for the creation of a merit-based society that is colorblind without the acknowledgement and recognition of systemic racism still deeply entrenched  in both public and private institutions. This could potentially be a catalyst to further exacerbate institutionalised racism and prejudice of historically marginalised and oppressed persons, across the strata of the social fabric in USA and ultimately, globally. As we all know, when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold.  

Currently, an executive directive has been put in place discontinuing Diversity Equality and Inclusion (DEI) as established in policy framework at the federal level. Government staff employed as part of DEI policies have been put on paid administrative leave. Multinational corporations based in the USA have also promptly followed suit.  

This directive is a continuation of the Trump led administration’s efforts during his first tenure as president, that was swiftly rescinded by the Biden administration and now is back in full force. The Supreme Court has also been a catalyst to the current state of affairs. In June 2023, a largely conservative US Supreme Court voted 6-3 in a decision that significantly changed the way colleges and universities used affirmative action in their admissions.  The targets of the lawsuit were Harvard University and University of North Carolina for alleged racial discrimination in admissions. Even though the decision didn’t mention the workplace, private employers stopped their commitments towards DEI. This entire directive will have far-reaching implications on addressing institutional and structural systems of oppression deeply embedded in societies such as America.  

Halt to global health programmes 

Additionally, as was with his first term President Trump and his administration have continued their onslaught on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Amendments and the canceling of grant contracts under USAID have been effected. USAID grantees around the world working on ‘contentious’ SRHR aspects have been cut off and surprisingly this has included halting funds supporting the supply of HIV, Malaria, TB and medical supplies. 

There is much that is happening and definitely more to come in the first 100 days of the second tenure in office for President Trump.  

It is pertinent that feminist funders, donors, other bi-lateral donors, philanthropists, private foundations and trusts rally at double the speed to cover the gaps that these changes and those to come will create. Never has there been a better time for flexible and unrestricted funding such as this. Furthermore, this may be the new norm regardless of political change across the minority or even the majority world.  

We all need to practice our resilience praxis and we must fortify our accountability mechanisms globally to ensure regime changes have a minimal effect on the human rights and dignity of life of the oppressed, marginalized and vulnerable. This is too much power assumed by political figures, yet it has long been established that the people hold the power, not the political machinery. 

Lastly, we must break out of the cycle of regurgitating political leaders who have a clear track record in clawing back on established human rights-based approaches and normative standards anchored in international law. There is nothing new with Trump’s measures and his administration’s mode of operation. We saw it all during his first term and now we are enduring accelerated efforts from that first time. It is pertinent that we swiftly and urgently develop global and localized mechanisms that counter misinformation and disinformation in the electoral process. 

Linda Kroeger is a human rights lawyer and pan-African feminist passionate about women’s rights and gender equality. She’s a Policy and Advocacy Manager, Women’s Participation and Leadership at Womankind Worldwide.