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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the 2025 House Republican Members Conference Dinner at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fl., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. The Northern Star interviewed students around campus to get their thoughts in the first days after Trump was inaugurated. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

NIU students speak on President Donald Trump’s second term

By Austin Lamb and Anna Wittenkeller | January 28, 2025

During his inauguration speech last week, President Donald Trump made a multitude of promises that would be accomplished over the next four years and vowed to usher in a “golden age of America.” Several of these promises include declaring national...

President Donald Trump sits on a throne in a prison cell. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that Trump being sentenced with an unconditional discharge in his "hush money" case is disappointing but not surprising. (Georgie Fortuna | Northern Star)

President Donald Trump’s unconditional discharge is disappointing but not surprising

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | January 20, 2025

On Monday morning, the first ever convicted felon was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America, only 10 days after his sentencing.   Donald Trump received his sentence Jan. 10, after the president was found guilty on all 34...

President-elect Donald Trump's appointed "border czar" Tom Homan speaks to state troopers Nov. 26. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson believes Homan is among Trump's selections for White House officials which are a cause of concern. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Trump’s White House selections prophesize disaster

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | December 5, 2024

One month past the election, President-elect Donald Trump has moved swiftly with his presidential Cabinet and White House official selections. His choices continuously expand the terrifying reality of the second Trump administration the United States...

A protester holds a sign that reads “Abortion saves lives” following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai emphasizes the need to continue discussing the importance of bodily autonomy, especially as President-elect Donald Trump approaches office. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Giving birth must be a choice

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | December 5, 2024

Editor’s note: This story contains discussion of sexual assault.  Giving birth to a new life is a huge responsibility. Every parent, especially the mother, has to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and economically for a child....

From the back of President-elect Donald Trump's head comes a speech bubble that reads "you're fired" as he faces the United States Department of Education. The Northern Star Editorial Board broke down several of Trump's expressed education goals during his administration - all of which are very concerning. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Editorial: Education must not be reformed as Trump intends

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | December 3, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump has discussed plans to change higher education as we know it, and the implementation of these plans could be problematic. Trump claims his administration’s plans will remove liberal bias from the education system and...

Vice President Kamala Harris smiles during her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University in Washington. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields encourages Harris supporters to hold onto hope and continue the fight, echoing Harris' concession speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump wins, America bleeds

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor | November 6, 2024

America bleeds. As of the morning of Nov 6, 2024, Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president of the United States. For the four years since his last presidency ended in attempted insurrection, those few words have hung over the heads of the American...

A young child watches as Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Monday at a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson pleads for voters to think of America’s future generations and cast a vote for Harris this election. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Vote for Harris, vote for the future

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | November 4, 2024

When Donald Trump won the 2016 election, I was 12. I remember my father saying he’d eat his hat and we’d all move up the border to Canada if it happened. I remember my mother’s worried face on election night as we watched it happen, and I remember...

An Airstream Caraval on loan to the League of Women Voters sits in the Ohio State University campus Sept. 26. Opinion Columnist Will Thiel believes for Generation Z voters to use their vote most effectively, they need to grasp a better understanding of their personal beliefs and the policies on the ballot, rather than focusing on candidates’ individual qualities. (AP Photo/Julie Carr Smyth)

Youth voters need to focus on policy, not person

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | October 2, 2024

This message is directed to you, the young voter who has no idea what they want when it comes to politics.  You are fatalistic, meaning you believe all events are predetermined and therefore are inevitable. Because of that, political theatrics disguise...

Presidential nominees Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump shake hands before the start of the Sept. 10 ABC News presidential debate in Philadelphia. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko believes Harris won the debate by handling Trump’s typical debate tactics, including red herrings and name-calling, with grace and maturity. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Harris demonstrated reliable leadership in debate

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor | September 23, 2024

From commentary of specialists and polls, the general consensus seems to be that Democrats are more confident in their candidate compared to Republicans after the Sept. 10 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald...

Republican presidential candidate nominee Donald Trump speaks at a rally Friday in Glendale, Arizona. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson believes Trump’s speaking tactics in presidential debates are harmful to the purpose of debates. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s debate tactics degrade purpose

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | August 26, 2024

Presidential debates have been significant to presidential elections and campaigns for decades. Former President Donald Trump’s performance in debates, however, undermines the true purpose of a debate.  DEBATES THROUGHOUT HISTORY Presidential...

Two images show President Joe Biden (left) speaking on May 2 and former president Donald Trump speaking on May 1. Generation Z shouldn’t be distracted by outrageous personalities, such as on social media and at rallies, in the upcoming general election. (Alex Brandon, Morry Gash | AP Photo)

Outrageous personalities don’t equate good presidents

By Sofia Didenko, Assistant Opinion Editor | May 5, 2024

Amidst the buzz of For You pages, X notifications, Instagram discovery pages and political headlines, political conversations and memes are rising around the presidential rematch taking place this fall. However, it's crucial to remember that the entertainment...

Donald Trump raises two fists at a campaign rally Saturday in Richmond, Virginia. Opinion Columnist Will Thiel is voting for Trump in the 2024 presidential election. (AP Photo | Steve Helber)

I’m voting for Trump, here’s why

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | March 3, 2024

With his strong leadership and unique vision, Donald Trump is the candidate who can unify the fractured GOP and secure the future of America. Voting is especially hard when the age-old debate about presidential term limits is in the headlines for the...