RantCrush Top 5: January 24, 2017

One of President Trump’s first measures after taking office was to reinstate the Mexico City Policy (also known as the global gag rule). This bans U.S. aid to international health groups that mention abortion as a family planning option in any way.

Now, even though the U.S. spends about $600 million every year to support international programs that offer advice on reproductive health, that money is never used for abortion. Doing so is restricted by another ban, but critics seem to believe that is not enough, and have pushed for the gag rule to be reinstated.

Donald Trump has reinstated the #GlobalGag rule. @CecileRichards explains what this could mean for women & girls: https://t.co/Jna6hIm92K

— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) January 23, 2017

Trump also followed through on one of his campaign promises by officially ending U.S. participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a deal that President Obama championed. This free trade deal between the U.S. and countries bordering the Pacific Ocean–like Canada, Chile, Australia, and Japan–was never approved by Congress. TPP supporters claimed it would lead to increased globalization; opponents believed it would harm our job market by sending more jobs overseas. By backing out of the deal, Trump also ends a long-standing tradition of American collaboration on multinational trade agreements.

Proud to stand w/ President Trump signing EOs: withdrawing US from TPP, prohibiting int’l abortion funding & freezing hiring except military pic.twitter.com/PaHV2XGoAv

— Vice President Pence (@VP) January 23, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.