In six days, the United States will elect a new president. Fordham University students are casting their ballots by mail, voting early in person or waiting for Election Day to make their voices heard. This election is special for most editorial board members because it will be the first time we cast our ballots in a presidential election. We are excited to exercise our right to vote because it allows us to determine the future of our nation. Over the course of this volume, we have closely watched the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While both candidates are imperfect, it is clear to us that Trump’s vision for America goes against our values as an editorial board. That is why we concluded Harris is the best choice for president.  

Throughout this volume, we have been clear with our stances on multiple issues that have impacted this election. In April, we wrote about how reproductive rights were unjustifiably under attack across the country. In September, we warned about the dangerous consequences Project 2025 would have on Americans. Last week we expressed disgust at Trump’s usage of dangerous language during his presidential campaign. It has become clear to us that Trump’s vision for America goes against our values of respectful leadership. His vision for the country is dark, selfish and focused on retribution. If you don’t believe us, as we have said before, listen to Trump’s words. He has promised to seek revenge on opponents like Special Council Jack Smith by firing him within “two seconds” of becoming president. Trump incited an insurrection to overturn the 2020 election results and recently called the Jan. 6 insurrection a “day of love” during a Univision Town Hall. He refers to his opponents as “the enemy from within.” Some may dismiss our argument as dramatic and base their vote on the hope that Trump will somehow return prices to 2019 levels. However, people who served in Trump’s first administration, like his chief of staff John Kelly, have raised the alarm about his “dictator approach to the government.” Those individuals will not be serving in Trump’s second administration, meaning his worst impulses may not be restrained. This is a risk our country cannot take. We are not afraid to say that a second Trump term would be dangerous, and we are voting to prevent it. 

Another reason we are speaking out is because the L.A. Times and the Washington Post announced they would not be endorsing a presidential candidate. These choices were made by the owners of these papers, who overruled their editorial boards that were ready to endorse Harris. As a result, current and previous employees of both papers have expressed outrage with the decisions. In protest, L.A. Times Editorial Editor Mariel Garza resigned from her role. 200,000 people canceled their Washington Post subscription. Former Post Editor Martin Baron wrote on X, “History will mark a disturbing chapter of spinelessness at an institution famed for courage.” We ask the owners of these papers that of all the elections to end presidential endorsements, why did they choose 2024? To us, it seems these papers have committed an act of cowardice. Instead of letting the editorial boards provide their perspective on this historic moment, the owners are self-censoring in an attempt to minimize criticism from presumed right-wing groups. However, these owners don’t seem to understand the point of an editorial board. An editorial allows for a group of individuals to write with one united voice on issues that matter deeply to them. What these owners did was rob their newspapers of their voice and that sets a horrible precedent.

Since the stakes of this election are so high, we believe sitting out this election or voting for a third party will increase Trump’s chances of a second term. The editorial board does not agree with Harris on every issue. While we appreciate Harris’ calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing the hostages home, we believe she must clarify how she will achieve this. Two million Gazans have been displaced since the conflict began and tens of thousands have died. Also, ninety-seven Israeli hostages are still held captive by Hamas. Since the United States supplies Israel $3.8 billion a year, our nation’s influence cannot be understated, so we implore a potential Harris administration to prioritize the prevention of more suffering in the region. As a board, we value the ability of a leader to respectfully listen to all groups even if they don’t agree. We believe Harris has repeatedly demonstrated this ability over the course of her career, while Trump rarely does. For this reason, we have cast our ballots for Harris.     

We heavily debated endorsing a presidential candidate because it is not a choice other editorial boards at The Fordham Ram have made for recent elections. However, last week’s decision from the L.A. Times and the Washington Post reminded us of the importance of an editorial. Editorials are powerful because they allow us to show the Fordham community what we, as editorial board members, value and the unique ability to say something with one unified voice. In her resignation letter from the L.A. Times, Garza wrote, “Staying silent isn’t just indifference, it is complicity.” She is right, and so, in this historic moment, we will not be silent. We will proudly let our voices be heard.

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What is an Editorial? An editorial is an opinion piece that represents the opinion of the editorial board. Editorials can cover a range of topics, but usually discuss campus, local, or national issues that the board feels it is well-equipped to share its knowledge and opinion for the benefit of the Fordham community.

Editorial Policy: The Fordham Ram’s editorial represents the editorial board’s opinions or views. The editorial board consists of The Fordham Ram’s executive board and does not reflect the views of The Fordham Ram’s general staff or students affiliated with The Fordham Ram.