2020 Year in Review
San Clemente Black Lives Matter Protest in May 2020 Photo by Sara Abrahamsson
A lot happened in 2020. Like a lot a lot. So, here are some of the major political events of the year that you might have missed!
Impeachment of President Donald Trump - Jan. 16, 2020
In his 2020 impeachment, Trump was charged with abuse of presidential power in his attempts to pressure Ukrainian authorities into investigating Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Trump was accused of withholding military aid to Ukraine, despite its previous approval by Congress, as well as an incriminating conversation with Ukraine’s president. President Trump denied all allegations. While the House of Representatives found Trump guilty of his charges, the Senate acquitted him in February and he remained President of the United States.
Nancy Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech - Feb. 4, 2020
On February 4, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ripped up President Trump’s speech just after his State of the Union Address. The act signified rising frustrations after Trump’s impeachment and Pelosi’s unapproval of his presidency. The action was certainly striking and Trump refused to shake Pelosi’s hand afterward. The tearing of Trump’s speech made more headlines than the speech itself.
San Clemente Black Lives Matter Protest in May 2020 Photo by Sara Abrahamsson
Revitalization of the Black Lives Matter Movement - May 2020 - present
People in all fifty states, as well as hundreds of other countries, showed their support for the Black Lives Matter Movement through peaceful protest. Demonstrators everywhere voiced their support for police reform and defunding, justice for Black lives lost and imprisoned, and anti-racism. Thousands were heartbroken and horrified by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black Americans at the hands of police brutality. The protests were in honor of their lives and called for eradication of police violence.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s Death - Sept. 8, 2020
On September 18, Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer. The Supreme Court Justice was 87 and had fought for women’s rights and gender equality within the judicial system for 27 years. Ginsberg’s last wish, as her granddaughter informed the public, was that “I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” But, against Ginsberg’s wishes, Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated by President Trump and appointed to the Supreme Court only slightly over a month after her passing.
President Donald Trump Tests Positive for Covid-19 - Oct. 2, 2020
On October 2nd, it was revealed to the public that Trump and his wife, Melania, had tested positive for the virus. This caused some confusion with his supporters, who largely followed his lead in dismissing the severity of Covid-19. However, Trump only spent three days in the hospital and was allowed back into the White House while he fully recovered.
Joe Biden Wins 2020 Presidential Election - Dec. 14, 2020
Despite a tumultuous election, with high tensions on both the political left and right, Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and became the 46th president of the United States. Kamala Harris, former 2020 Democratic candidate and Biden’s pick for vice president, will also take office this upcoming year. Biden’s win was officially solidified by the electoral college recently, but his win was projected in early November. Still, the winning votes are highly contested by Republicans.
