Having first endorsed the Trump-Pence campaign via their Facebook page on Sept. 26, the JHU College Republicans issued a follow-up statement last week to justify their initial endorsement.
The original endorsement sparked significant controversy on social media, garnering 138 reactions, 39 shares and over 25 comments, with many students criticizing the group’s decision to back Trump.
College Republicans declined to comment despite multiple attempts made by The News-Letter to reach them.
Senior Albert Chavesta thinks that this presidential election is no longer a matter of what Americans think in terms of political beliefs and values. He believes this year’s cycle has centered on the personality and character of each candidate.
“In prior elections, it has always been the case that the two candidates running, whether Democrat or Republican, were acting on the idea that they are doing what is best for the American people,” Chavesta wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Yet, [Trump’s] entire campaign has centered around disparaging comments about Mexicans, Muslims, Women, and other minority groups, and then refusing to acknowledge that what he said is wrong.”
In August, the Harvard Republicans announced their refusal to endorse Trump. Chavesta pointed to this, citing that support of conservative values does not necessarily mean that students have to support the Republican candidate in an election.
“JHU College Republicans endorsing Trump signifies the weakness that people have to adapting their views,” he wrote. “It shows that a culture of racism and sexism continues to exist and that supporting ‘conservative policies’ is more important than creating a nation where we respect one another and treat each other equally.”
The follow-up statement issued by the JHU College Republicans explained their reasoning behind the endorsement. The group wrote they endorsed Trump because they feel he will appoint conservative judges who will follow the Constitution and that he would bring a new perspective into the White House due to his business background.
However, the statement went on to acknowledge concern over Trump’s recent misogynistic remarks from a 2005 Access Hollywood video which Trump has called ‘locker room banter,’ and the 11 women who have accused him of sexual assault. While they endorse Trump, they do not actively encourage students to vote for him.
“It is in this light that we, the Johns Hopkins Republican Club, do not encourage people to vote for Donald Trump in this upcoming election,” they wrote. “Rather, we urge people to self-reflect, pray, discuss issues with their peers, and vote their conscience on November 8th.”
This follow-up statement confused many Hopkins students. Sophomore Lalit Verada noticed that the follow-up, which was published three weeks later, has a decidedly different tone from the original endorsement. He feels that the College Republicans are trying to divorce themselves from what he argues is Trump’s problematic rhetoric.
“I’m surprised they are [giving this statement now] when there have been many examples of Trump saying unpolished statements throughout his campaign,” Varada said. “They are distancing themselves from Trump.”
The most recent statement further criticized Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server to handle confidential government information. The statement said she was a flawed candidate.
Senior Jordan Britton feels that their characterization of Clinton is too harsh.
“They really think criticizing Hillary Clinton somehow makes their decision to support Trump look better,” Britton said. “They’re so unaware of the impact that a man like him can have, and it truly amazes and frightens me.”
Sophomore Samantha Hardy, who is a Republican, said that she understands why the JHU College Republicans endorsed Trump but that she is not particularly pleased with either of the presidential candidates for this election.
“Personally, as a conservative, I think it is important to support the candidate who will not be a barrier to our legislation, Trump, even if he is not my first choice to be president,” Hardy wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “At this point in the election, I’m not thrilled with either of our options and I do not think Clinton or Trump can even be considered from an ethical standpoint.”
Senior Cynthia Hadler, president of the Hopkins College Democrats, urged students not to condemn the College Republicans for their endorsement of Trump.
She believes that through their endorsement, the group is creating an environment that allows conservative students to feel more comfortable on liberal college campuses.
“I understand that desire and obligation to support the organization that you’re from. And I feel like they’re also helping kind of create a safe space that it’s okay to be a Republican on campus, it’s okay to support Donald Trump, because I do feel that there is kind of a pushback against those ideals,” Hadler wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “College campuses are normally so liberal I feel like they almost ostracize Republicans, and I don’t want that to be the case. So I want the Republicans to be as accepting as possible, and I feel like that’s one way they’re doing this.”
