In the waves of media panic and mixed reactions to the 2024 presidential election, some of the most common words said were “life goes on.” While Democrats were effectively mourning Kamala Harris’s loss, some moderates and even left-leaning people dismissed the election results, sharing a sentiment that a Trump presidency will largely not affect everyday life, even though the election results were disappointing. After all, the national government seems so untouchable to the average person, and how much change can Donald Trump really make?

On one hand, Republicans now have complete control over the law-making process, with majorities in both the House and Senate. In conjunction with Trump as president, the GOP will be able to make swift headway on their policies. However, the infamous and frustrating inefficiency of the government may be the Democrats’ saving grace. Even with their majorities, Republicans are still limited in how fast they will be able to pass legislation. Furthermore, one of the core values of the GOP is state power; thus, they will likely allow states to control their policies on certain issues. Since Virginia is a blue state (though the current governor is a Republican), many changes that are made at a national level may not sway Virginia policy as much.

However, life in America will inevitably change. Simply having Donald Trump as president changes the political climate significantly. He not only signs laws into effect and gives executive orders, but he represents the US to the entire globe. For example, Vladimir Putin expressed his approval of Trump and newfound willingness to work with the US. Trump’s victory will also likely impact everyday life in the US through the Supreme Court. With the ability to nominate justices and a majority in the Senate, it is likely that we will see a few new justices on the bench through Trump’s presidency. The Republicans will want to maintain their conservative majority on the court, and in order to preserve it, some older conservative justices may step down in order for younger counterparts to take their seats. This way, the Supreme Court will have a conservative-leaning majority for years to come. Arguably, this will be the most lasting impact of Trump’s presidency. Americans around the country felt the Supreme Court’s impact personally when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Lastly, Trump’s crackdown on immigration will see many residents deported. While this won’t affect most people, it will uproot a sizable number of lives, which cannot be ignored. The deported certainly won’t feel as though “life goes on.”

The extent to which your life will change under Trump’s presidency honestly depends on who you are. Is your priority access to food stamps or healthcare? Is your priority cheaper gas prices? Each American wants and needs vastly different things. So, will “life go on”? Only time will tell.