With the recent news about former president Donald Trump’s arrest, Woodside students and teachers reflect upon the possible impact it’s having on our political system.

Former President Trump faces 91 criminal charges within four main criminal cases. The Jan 6. Insurrection Case, in which Trump and his advisors spread false rumors regarding voter fraud causing a mob of Trump supporters to storm into the capital. The Georgia Election Interference Case, where Trump told Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, to find 11,780 votes in order to beat President Joe Biden. The Classified Documents Case, accusing Trump of stashing national security documents throughout his Mar-a-Lago resort. And lastly, The Hush Money Case, in which Trump attempted to pay off a woman in order to buy her silence. 

“It’s a very shocking moment in American history, that a former president has been arrested,” senior Jessie Lin said. 

Along with this shock, people are looking to our justice system in hopes they’ll make the right decision.

“Anytime there’s someone in power, who’s abusing that power, regardless of political party, there needs to be justice done so that way we can maintain the integrity of our democracy,” new Government/Economics teacher Matthew Austin stated. 

Not only is our justice system catching attention but our overall political system as this incident has brought many “things” to the public eye. 

“I think one of the saddest things about it and one of the reasons why we are here with 91 counts is that there were no checks and balances in place to stop it proactively,” AP Literature and Composition teacher Lisa Camera said. “And one of the things that we may be able to thank Trump for years from now is that he has exposed these flaws.”

These flaws are having profound negative effects on the amount of trust people have in our electoral system 

“I do think, though, that it’s really compromised our confidence in elections and in our democracy, so those effects are going to be lasting, and it’s really unfortunate,” Camera stated. 

Tensions are also beginning to rise among students and teachers grow frustrated with the current state of our political system. 

“We live in a time where every single act is politicized and that is very intentional. In order for parties to maintain power, like if you can divide the people you can rule them a little easier and maybe come up with ways to abuse the system,” Austin said. 

These divisions can have lasting negative impacts on our society as a whole if we choose not to overcome them.

“I think because of that division, we are no longer hearing each other out,” Lin said. “Instead, we are playing the name game and the blame game.”

The consequences we are facing might seem overwhelming, but many advise others not to give up hope as it’s not too late to make a change. 

“I guess we have to expose it, and face it, and deal with it before anything really, any positive change can happen,” Camera stated. 

A place to start might even be within ourselves. 

“We can’t keep on only focusing on one party and criticizing it without understanding and criticizing ourselves,”  Lin said. “I think that’s very backward and hypocritical.”

A united future is very possible, especially with the actions younger generations are starting to take.

“I have so much hope for your generation because, I mean, I look back [to] when I was your age, and I didn’t know anything,” Lisa said. “You guys are knowledgeable and passionate and active, whereas my generation was passive.”

Even though the idea of being “active” seems difficult, students believe there are solutions that can be taken to strive one step closer to our goals. 

“I think we must as a younger generation use our voices and try to solve issues that other generations have caused for us,” Lin said. “And work towards a better relationship with each party and with each individual in general.” 

Despite any differences people might have, there is hope for younger generations to come together and strive for important change.

“I don’t care where your political values lie,” Lisa said.  “If you’re more conservative or more liberal, whatever it is, if you’re knowledgeable and passionate, and you’re voting, then our future is much brighter.”