The Media Needs to ‘Relentlessly Document the Impact’ of the Trump Administration

From left: Communications coordinator Sarah Wesley, Deputy Editor Kasia Anderson, contributor Bill Boyarsky and staff writer Emma Niles.

President Trump was in office less than 24 hours before millions of people around the world took to the streets to express their commitment to human rights and their opposition to decisions they expect his administration to make.

The Women’s March on Washington and its sister marches may have made major headlines, but it didn’t stop Trump from putting his signature on numerous executive actions in his first days as president.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Truthdig editorial team and columnist Bill Boyarsky broke down what Trump has done thus far and discussed what can be expected from his administration and his opposition in the days to come:

Boyarsky attended the Women’s March in Los Angeles, and he told the Truthdig team that the “statement of goals were certainly more than women’s issues.” But would this intense activism last beyond Saturday’s march?

Many expressed little hope that the opposition would continue. “The masses are so distracted,” communications coordinator Sarah Wesley said. “Meanwhile, the rich are just looking at us going back and forth.”

Boyarsky, however, drew on his own journalistic career to explain how small, local organizing efforts can be effective — as long as people remain committed.

Staff writer Emma Niles agreed. “It’s going to be these small steps that are not full of glory but do make a difference,” she said.

Watch the full discussion above, and tell us what you think in the comments below. You can watch past editions of “Live at Truthdig” here.

—Posted by Emma Niles