The 2024 Presidential Election is quite a controversial one, with Republicans and Democrats battling it out against each other. There are some recent events that need to be covered to truly understand the course of this election.
First, on Jul 14,2024 at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump (republican nominee) faced an assassination attempt. At the rally, there was a man (identified to be a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks) posted up atop a building with a rifle. Firing at Trump and the crowd, Crooks killed one rally attendee, put two in critical conditions, and injured Trump, piercing Trump’s ear. Upon the shots being fired, Secret Service officials killed Crooks. Regardless of people’s political beliefs, people have recognized this event as a tragedy, viewing that an assassination attempt to a former president and presidential candidate is a stance against democracy.
However, people have made theories regarding the shooting. Some right-wing lawmakers and individuals believe that the Democratic party organized the shooting against Trump. Opposingly, some Democrats believe that the Republican party organized this effort to make the Democratic party look bad, since the shooter was a registered Republican.
This shooting was a major event in the road of the election, and more are continuing to happen! Donald Trump announced his running-mate for this election, JD Vance—Republican Senator from Ohio. This choice is also being viewed as an interesting move, considering that Vance has been a senator for one-year and has made comments in the past regarding Trump, calling him the “Hitler of our Time.” However, he seems to be far right winged, with many conservative views; therefore, being supported by the Republican party but opposed by Democrats.
Additionally, President Joseph Biden and nominee for this upcoming election has recently dropped out of the race. With many concerns for his ability to run for president, namely from his performance in the presidential debate, this move was predicted by many, with 20+ Democrats in US Congress calling for him to drop. This had led to current Vice-president Kamala Harris to take the presidential Democrat nomination, with still no named vice president to her yet.
Overall, a lot is going on with this election, seeming to be more than any past election. It is important to understand everything on both sides of these situations to decide your stance and make a vote. Each vote matters! Voting is an effective form of public policy that we as citizens have to influence the structure of our government.
Ayan Kumar's Blog 