The UTM College Republicans led the discussion concerning President Donald Trump’s affect on the Republican party since his inauguration during the Engage Civic Initiative’s Engage the Times session Friday, Nov. 1.
As with every ENGAGE session, a panel of specific individuals were present to answer questions pertaining to the topic, including the College Republicans adviser and professor of agricultural economics Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, president of the College Republicans, Haden Bawcum, a junior Agriculture Business major, and Tennessee State Representative Andy Holt.
These members of the panel each gave their own opinion as to how President Trump has changed their party whether that be for better or worse.
“He’s probably one of the closest things to the ideology that President Ronald Regan endeared to the people,” Mehlhorn said. “He said the Republican Party is about having a tent big enough for everyone and I feel Trump really takes that to heart.”
Holt also shared his opinions regarding Trump’s effect saying, “He’s changed the face of American politics. He’s done a great deal of service, not towards Washington or the political system, but a great deal of service to the American people.”
“He’s not a classic Republic and he’s not even a classic conservative,” Holt said. “He is a populist, a conservative populist.”
Some who attended the session voiced their concern towards Trump’s presidency, with many flaws being pointed out which regarded Trumps campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” and the current state of politics being essentially a shouting match between candidates.
Bawcum believes Trumps policies have made America great again.
“Since this semester started, unemployment is at an all time low. Trumps benefits are not specific to the white American man, they are spreading out to all legal American citizens,” Bawcum said.
Next week’s engage session will be discussing the Democratic Party’s viewpoints and will feature panel members in support of this party. It will be held at the University Center, room 125 at 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8.
Dr. Arthur Hunt, co-adviser for the Engage Civic Initiative, welcomes the audience to the Engage the Times session concerning President Donald Trump’s affects on American politics. | Photo credit/ Abril Sosa
