Progressives let hatred of Trump push them over the edge. It's truly sad to see. | Opinion
A Democratic legislator in Michigan announced she had been sterilized because she is afraid of what Donald Trump will do as president. Progressives' irrational actions are just plain sad.
If you thought that Trump Derangement Syndrome was a thing of the past, think again. President Donald Trump still has the ability to drive his opponents − well, nuts.
At a rally at Michigan’s Capitol last week to protest Trump and his right-hand billionaire Elon Musk, a state Democratic lawmaker told the crowd something quite shocking.
“Just under two weeks ago, I underwent surgery to ensure that I would never have to navigate a pregnancy in Donald Trump’s America,” Rep. Laurie Pohutsky said, according to the Michigan Advance. “I refuse to let my body be treated as currency by an administration that only sees value in my ability to procreate.”
Pohutsky, who has previously served as Michigan House speaker pro tempore, continued: “If you know people who are questioning how serious this is, I’m going to repeat myself. A sitting government official opted for voluntary sterilization because she was uncertain she would be able to access contraception in the future.”
What Pohutsky did is indeed serious – with lasting repercussions for her future, should she ever regret her decision.
It’s also just plain sad.
Pohutsky may think she’s some kind of social justice warrior, but the 36-year-old, married lawmaker is hurting herself and setting a bad example for her female constituents.
She knows better than anyone – or should – that wide access to abortion is cemented into the Michigan Constitution and contraception is readily available. It’s unclear what she’s trying to prove by taking this drastic step – and broadcasting it widely.
Yet, Pohutsky’s actions are symptomatic of a much bigger disconnect between progressives and the rest of the country.
Republicans are ‘fascists’ and relationships with men are bad? Liberals are not OK.
The protest in Michigan was one of many around the country last Wednesday to challenge the early actions of the Trump administration, which is operating at an unprecedented pace.
Signs among the Michigan crowd included “Fight the Fascists,” Resist Nazis,” “Arrest Elon,” “Eat the Rich,” “Impeach the Clown” and “This Is A Coup Directed At You.”
So Pohutsky wasn’t the only one in attendance who was on edge. There’s something especially disturbing, though, to see women take their “fears” of Trump and Republicans to such an extreme that they harm themselves and their relationships.
Pohutsky’s sterilization reminds me of a trend that began shortly after Trump was elected to his second term. Women announced on social media that they were swearing off sex, dating and marriage to punish the men in their lives, in part for their role in helping elect Trump.
And since November, doctors have reported a surge in requests from women for long-term birth control or more drastic procedures like getting their tubes tied.
Majority of Americans support Trump, believes he's fulfilling promises
While Democrats are beside themselves that Trump is the president, the rest of the country has a much rosier outlook. A new poll from CBS News/YouGov found that Trump has a positive approval rating – 53% – among U.S. adults.
Of that number, 31% strongly approve and 22% somewhat approve.
And 70% said Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do during his campaign, although 49% said they were surprised at the speed with which Trump has taken actions in his first few weeks.
Whether liberals want to accept it or not, Trump will be president for the next four years.
They have a right to protest all they want. But I hope more women think long and hard before they take extreme measures like Pohutsky did for political reasons.
They may think they’re really “showing” Trump. In the end, they’re hurting themselves.
Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at Paste BN. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X: @Ingrid_Jacques