Trump's Student Loan Shenanigans: Screwing Over Public Servants, One "Illegal Purpose" at a Time
Okay, so Trump's back at it again, huh? This time, it's student loans. And surprise, surprise, it's not good news for anyone who isn't already rich.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" of Bullshit
Let's be real, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA)? Give me a break. Sounds like something straight out of a bad reality TV show. But the consequences are very real. The Trump administration is using this thing to gut student loan forgiveness programs, and it's aimed squarely at people who dedicate their lives to public service. Education Department eliminates student loan program, ends some repayment plans.
They're capping Parent PLUS loans, dissolving existing repayment plans, and replacing them with this shiny new "Repayment Assistance Plan" (RAP). Which, offcourse, sounds helpful until you realize it's just another way to squeeze more money out of people who are already struggling. $20,500 annually for grad students? What is this, 1950?
And don't even get me started on the Grad PLUS program getting the ax. How are people supposed to afford grad school now? I'm already dreading my student loan bill.
Defining "Illegal Purpose": A Convenient Excuse
Here's where it gets especially nasty. The Department of Education is now excluding public service workers from loan forgiveness if their employers are deemed to have a "substantial illegal purpose." What exactly does that mean? Well, according to Trump's cronies, it includes organizations that support undocumented immigrants or provide gender-affirming care to minors.
So, basically, if you're working to help vulnerable communities, you're screwed. Is that what we've come to? I mean, seriously, what kind of dystopian nightmare are we living in? It's like they're actively trying to discourage people from doing good in the world. The new PSLF criteria could affect millions. In 2022, roughly 9 million borrowers were potentially eligible for PSLF.
Let's be honest, this isn't about preventing "illegal activity." It's about targeting groups that Trump and his base don't like. It's about punishing people for helping those in need. It's a cynical, disgusting power play, and it's exactly what we've come to expect from this administration.
The Legal Pushback (and Why It Probably Won't Matter)
Of course, there are lawsuits. Cities like Boston and Chicago, along with some labor unions, are fighting back against these changes. They argue that it's an illegal attack on public sector workers, a violation of past promises. But let's be real, how much faith do we have in the legal system to actually stop this?
They can weigh court judgements, legal settlements, or other evidence, sometimes even absent a formal conviction.
Republicans only need a simple majority in the Senate to pass it. In other words, it's no sure thing, but it's as close to a sure thing as Congress gets these days.
I mean, I hope they win, I really do. But I'm not holding my breath. The Trump administration has a knack for steamrolling over anyone who gets in their way.
So, What's the Real Endgame Here?
It's simple: Trump wants to dismantle anything that helps regular people. He wants to reward the rich and punish the poor. He wants to create a society where only the privileged can succeed. And he's using student loans as a weapon to achieve that goal.
It's a depressing thought, I know. But it's the reality we're facing. And unless we start fighting back harder, it's only going to get worse. Ain't that the truth.