The Nov. 2024 Election hand recount of votes in Rockland County, New York, notwithstanding, former president Donald Trump defeated then Vice President Kamala Harris to become the United States’ 47th Commander-in-Chief.
However, after six months back in office, Trump has received criticism and condemnations from hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many of his own supporters. Numerous Trump policies and pronouncements have been so unpopular and harmful to people’s well-being that many people have been asking the same question. How would life in America be like now had former Vice President Kamala Harris won the White House?
Since taking office, many MAGA members assert Trump has kept his promise to deport all the “illegals” (thus, making America safer), set an international affairs agenda that “rightfully” puts America first and ended all vestiges of DEI, CRT and wokeness that were destroying America.
Persons on the other side of the political aisle, along with nonpartisan scholars, researchers and others, offer a different take. They contend there has been an erosion of democratic institutions and norms, challenging the rule of law and undermining the independence of the Department of Justice. The national debt has continued to rise under Trump’s second term, adding trillions of dollars, potentially impacting the economy for decades, according to multiple experts.
Also, surveys indicate a decline in confidence in U.S. leadership and Trump’s handling of international affairs in many countries. Of particular concern has been Trump’s threats directed at U.S. allies (namely Canada and Greenland) and on-again, off-again, off-again tariffs applied to various countries.
“I am extremely concerned about the direction that the government is headed,” said Tomayia Colvin, whose daughter was among those who had her USDA scholarship canceled and then reinstated. “Every day it’s like – it can’t possibly be this bad and boom, the Department of Education is letting go of people. Then topped off with kids losing scholarships. This is a complete disaster…”
“We’re exhausted—and it’s still early,” said Prairie View A & M Associate Professor of History, Malachi Crawford. “But I do worry that he will sow so much discord that folks will just become immune until the damage has been done.”
So, how would the state of the economy, education, voting rights and more be different had Harris won last year’s election and currently resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
Here is a comparison of Trump’s policies and actions on various issues compared to Harris’s proposed actions on those same issues.
Voting Access
Trump:
- Eliminated DEIA programs, federal diversity offices, DEI terminology and rescinded federal enforcement around equity.
- Oversaw controversies over Voting Rights Act enforcement; tensions over federal oversight.
Harris (projected):
- As Senator and VP, she advocated for voting rights protections, anti-discrimination enforcement and expansions of civil rights legal tools. Her platform was tied to defending racial justice, supporting DOJ oversight and preserving federal support for minority communities.
Takeaway: Trump’s term rolled back institutional support for inclusion and equity; Harris would likely have reinforced civil rights and voting access protections.
Economy & Tax Policy
Trump:
- Enacted the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping $3 trillion tax cut favoring corporations and the wealthy, while offering modest breaks for working-class individuals.
- Oversaw major downsizing through “DOGE” (Department of Government Efficiency), reducing the federal workforce and abolishing agencies such as USAID and the CFPB.
- Pew surveys showed widespread disapproval: 59% disapprove of tariff increases, 55% disapprove of agency cuts. Only a 40% approval rating overall after ~100 days.
Harris (projected):
- Advocated progressive tax policy focused on working families and racial equity. Though details of her presidential platform were limited, Harris supported the Biden‑Harris agenda, including expanded tax credits for low- and middle-income households and strengthened IRS enforcement for high earners (per Office of Kamala D. Harris).
- Likely would have strengthened social programs and upheld or expanded Medicaid / ACA rather than cutting them.
Takeaway: Trump’s legacy increasingly favored wealthy interests and reduced federal social infrastructure; Harris was expected to prioritize equity and investing in working‑class and communities of color.
K‑12 Education
Trump:
- Under Project 2025 guidelines, Title I funding for low-income K‑12 (about $18B annually) would be phased out over a decade. Special education would be converted into block grants or parental savings accounts, with fewer federal checks and balances.
- The U.S. Department of Education would be dismantled, shifting oversight and civil rights enforcement to states—raising concerns about uneven protections for vulnerable students.
- Executive Order 14190 (“Ending Radical Indoctrination”) bans teaching critical race theory, gender ideology and empowers federal law enforcement to prosecute educators supporting transgender youth. Noncompliant districts risk losing funding.
- Discipline guidance rescinds Biden-era efforts to reduce racial disparities, instead favoring strict behavior-based policies over equity-minded approaches.
Harris (projected):
- The 2024 Democratic platform, which Harris championed, supported full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—moving toward the federal goal of covering 40% of per‑pupil spending for special education.
- Emphasis on social-emotional supports, tutoring, and chronic absenteeism recovery—as used in post‑COVID investments—though details on continuation past relief funds were less explicit.
- Likely continuation of enforcement of civil rights in schools, support for integrated classrooms, and racial equity training, as consistent with her record and Biden‑Harris policies.
Takeaways: With the Trump-induced potential loss of Title I support will come fewer special education safeguards, shrinking DEI programming in schools, and heightened vulnerability to punitive discipline policies targeting Black and LGBTQ students. Harris’s policies suggest greater support for Black students and neighborhoods, sustained special education and equity-focused interventions, and continued federal civil rights enforcement.
Trade & Immigration
Trump:
- Instituted sweeping tariffs: 25% on Canada and Mexico, 10% on China and later escalations, including 50% on steel imports. Paused agreements conditionally amid escalating tensions and stock market volatility known as “Liberation Day.”
- Ordered end to birthright citizenship; court blocks followed (federal appeals ruled it unconstitutional).
- Initiated what experts call the “largest mass deportation in history,” terminated immigration protections, ideological screening of entrants and is attempting to end birthright citizenship,
Harris (projected):
- Supported immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, protections for DACA recipients, and humane enforcement. Harris consistently opposed mass deportations. Her platform emphasized compassionate border policy and preserving birthright citizenship. Though specific platform quotes are fewer, she aligned with the Biden administration’s stance against Trump’s hardline executive orders, per the Council on Foreign Relations.
Takeaway: Trump’s second term has been marked by aggressive deportations and protectionist trade. Harris would have likely emphasized legal reform, focusing heavily on civil rights and equity.
Let the People be Heard
Danyahel Norris
“DEI wouldn’t be illegal, the federal government would still be fully funded, and there wouldn’t be tariff inspired trade wars, more billionaire tax breaks or a potential recession.”
Renee Hawk
“We could sleep at night”
DeeDee LaShore
“Maybe that orange fool might actually see some handcuffs.”
Jocilyn Portuondo
“Think of Obama and Biden’s time in office … but very strict and nurturing… oh, and there’d be a lot of bloodshed… You thought Jan 6 was a thing!”
KaRa Ma’at
“Project 2025 would not be in effect. Project Esther would not be in its Beginning Phases. All the insurrection sycophants that were pardoned wouldn’t be terrorizing the streets. Our soldiers would not be policing our cities.”
