Republican nominee Donald Trump was elected America’s 45th president Tuesday in a shocking surprise victory, but what does that mean for President Barack Obama’s legacy?
On Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, who endorsed and voted for Trump, called the billionaire real estate magnate’s victory a “repudiation of the status quo of failed liberal progressive policies,” according to the Associated Press. Obama and Trump met Thursday in the Oval Office.
Here’s how a Trump presidency could undercut some of the cornerstones of Obama's political legacy:
Health Care
During his first term, Obama worked with lawmakers to pass the Affordable Care Act, which has come to be known as Obamacare. The legislation is the single-most significant overhaul of the country’s healthcare system.
According to a March report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 20 million people had gained health insurance coverage through Obamacare, although estimates vary.
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly pledged to repeal the Affordable Care Act, railing against the program's premium hikes. Now, with Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House, some experts claim it’s possible.
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“Through budget reconciliation, it is possible for them to repeal and replace the bill entirely,” Ana Gupte, an analyst for major investment bank Leerink, told NBC News Wednesday. “They could choke off the blood supply to Obamacare."
Same-sex Marriage
In 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional, grant marriage equality to couples throughout the country. In response to the ruling, Obama said, “We have made our union a little more perfect,” according to the Washington Post.
However, Trump opposes same-sex marriage, leaving the future of LGBTQ rights in question. In January, Trump told Fox News that he would “strongly consider” appointing Supreme Court justices to overrule the decision on same-sex marriage.
Trump is set to inherit the Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia when he assumes office in January. Additionally, three judges who voted in favor of same-sex marriage are in either their late 70’s or early 80’s. Given their ages, Trump could potentially be called on to fill more than Scalia' vacancy.
Nevertheless, even if appointments shifted the make-up, the Supreme Court would still have to be presented with a case that challenges their original ruling.
Climate Change
During his time in office, Obama made climate change a top priority, brokering deals internationally and instituting policy domestically. This week, the Paris Agreement enters into force, Bloomberg reports. The deal serves as a pact between nearly 200 nations to reduce climate pollution.
But Trump denies that climate change even exists.
“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US. manufacturing non-competitive,” the Republican said in a 2012 tweet.
Despite calling the tweet a joke in January, Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a “hoax,” PolitiFact reports.
Iran Nuclear Deal
Obama supported the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a framework agreement signed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and a group of world powers, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Germany and China.
The deal, which regulates Iran’s nuclear program, lifted certain nuclear-related economic sanctions on the country.
Trump has vehemently opposed the deal, calling it a “disaster” and “the worst deal ever negotiated,” Reuters reports. Trump even warned that the deal could lead to a “nuclear holocaust” and promised to “dismantle the disastrous deal.”
Trans Pacific-Partnership
During his presidency, Obama pushed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal between the United States and eleven other Pacific Rim countries, including Japan, Mexico and Canada, among others. The proposal was signed in August of 2016 and is awaiting ratification.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has repeatedly trashed the trade deal, comparing it to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which he wants renegotiated.
“There is no way to fix the TPP,” Trump said in a June speech obtained by Politico. “We do not need to enter into another massive international agreement that ties us up and binds us down."
As a result, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is slated to become the Senate’s top Democrat, told labor leaders Thursday that the TPP will not be ratified by Congress, the Chicago Tribune reports.
