This week, the Colorado Times Recorder’s roundup of articles about political extremism features Steve Rabey’s article on how the Environmental Protection Agency has shifted its stance on climate change, adopting a view pushed by right-wing evangelicals that caring about climate change is a false religion; Logan Davis and Chloe Ragsdale reveal that an open letter sent by a group of school administrations urging a ban on participation from trans students in school sports has a connection to conservative political operatives and how that connects to right-wing activism in the state. Additionally, we are highlighting articles from Colorado Public Radio‘s Caitlyn Kim on Colorado politicians’ reactions to Trump’s first 100 days in office and from Colorado Newsline‘s Lindsey Toomer with an update on the legal status of some international students in Colorado being revoked over alleged involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.
On Earth Day, Trump’s EPA Called Belief in Climate Change a ‘False Religion’
The Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency officially shifted its stance on climate change on Earth Day, embracing a narrative pushed by conservative evangelicals that those who are concerned about the environment or climate change “are motivated by anti-Christian religion.” In a press release, Trump-appointed EPA administrator Lee Zelden said: “We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more.” Steve Rabey examines the relationship between religion in America and the reaction to environmentalism.
Invisible Hand: The Man Behind Colorado Schools’ Effort to Ban Trans Athletes
An open letter from a group of school board members and administrators in Colorado to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) pushing the organization to ban trans-identifying teens from participating in high school athletics has been widely covered. While this letter is framed as organic, Logan Davis and Chloe Ragsdale found that nearly all of the 80 signatories of the letter “have direct professional ties to one of the most influential political operatives in Colorado.” Brad Miller, the Colorado attorney who was heavily involved with the conservative takeover of the Jefferson School Board a year prior, has been working across the state to strengthen right-wing influence in public education.
CPR: What Colorado’s members of Congress think of Trump’s first 100 days in office
This article from Colorado Public Radio’s Caitlyn Kim goes into the reactions from Colorado’s congressional delegation on the first 100 days of Trump’s second term. While Democratic representatives have argued that the scope of Trump’s 130 executive orders has conflicted with the Constitution, violating the separation of powers, Republicans have dismissed those concerns. GOP Rep. Jeff Crank told CPR News, “I don’t think that the President has to come to Congress every time he wants to downsize the federal government. He is the executive branch, and he has the right, in my view to do that.” Rep. Lauren Boebert wants Congress to go further, telling CPR, “I’m absolutely supportive of his executive actions and now the pressure is on us to codify that.”
Colorado Newsline: Colorado students sue Trump administration after legal status revoked
Student visas have continued to be revoked by the Trump administration following a pair of executive orders that targeted students alleged to have connections to pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. The University of Colorado has stated that it is aware of 22 students at their institution who had their visas revoked, and a Colorado State University spokesperson confirmed that their student body had been impacted. Several of the international students affected have filed lawsuits with the U.S. District Court of Colorado, arguing the administration violated their right to due process by revoking their legal status without an opportunity to defend themselves in immigration court.
