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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA • FOUNDED 1885

PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025

VOL. CXLI

BACK IN POWER

NO. 2

ETHAN YOUNG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The first day of Trump’s second term, explained by Penn experts

‘I’m definitely worried’: Penn experts discuss abortion, reproductive rights in second Trump term

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn professors about the potential consequences of dozens of executive orders signed by President and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump, many of which reversed policies from the Biden administration ALEX DASH, ANVI SEGHAL, AND SAMEEKSHA PANDA Staff Reporters

On his first day back in office, President and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders — many of which reversed policies from the Biden administration. The orders reflected Trump’s inauguration speech, in which he promised to reverse the “many betrayals” that have occurred and to restore the faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom of the people. The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to Penn professors about the potential consequences of the new policies. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement While onstage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. for a post-inauguration rally, Trump signed an order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty that pledges to reduce carbon emissions. This is the second time Trump has removed the United States from the agreement after Biden rejoined in 2021.

KYLIE COOPER | DP FILE PHOTO

During his inaugural address, Trump said Biden’s climate policies opposed domestic energy goals and led to a “national energy emergency.” Penn Program on Regulation Director and Political Science professor Cary Coglianese wrote to the DP that Trump’s decision to pull out was “inconsistent with international law” and the provisions of the treaty. “The withdrawal process under the Agreement calls for a one-year period following notice of withdrawal before any country’s withdrawal can be effectuated,” Coglianese wrote. “But Trump’s order expressly declares that the United States will withdraw immediately.” Political Science assistant professor Parrish Bergquist emphasized the danger of the reversal “for the U.S. and … the world.” “It signals to the world that the U.S. is an unreliable partner on climate energy investment,” Bergquist said.

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn health care experts and Philadelphiaarea abortion providers about what the next four years under Trump’s second administration may hold, from federal abortion bans to state-by-state restrictions

According to Penn’s Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action Michael Mann, who also directs the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, the potential repercussions of the withdrawal could be mitigated if “other superpowers like China step up and fill the void left behind by U.S. withdrawal from the climate battle.” Trump also signed an order to halt the operations of offshore wind energy projects, a decision that Bergquist described as “foolish” and “ironic,” given Trump’s claims of prioritizing the economy. “Curtailing renewable energy development in the country doesn’t make sense economically, and it doesn’t make sense environmentally,” Bergquist said. “I think prohibiting it is driven by symbolism, and to me, capriciousness, rather than some sort of understanding that this is going to make people better off.”

1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States this week, ushering in a wave of uncertainty surrounding the future of reproductive rights and abortion access. During Trump’s first term in office — which saw the overturning of Roe v. Wade and significant changes to abortion policies at the state level — the landscape of reproductive healthcare shifted dramatically.

See TERM, page 2

See ABORTION, page 2

JESSICA WU Senior Reporter

From Colombia to California, meet three students admitted via early decision to Penn’s Class of 2029

Trump pardons 2010 Penn graduate Patrick Stedman for involvement in Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with three members of the Class of 2029 about their journeys to Penn and what excites them most about the next four years

Stedman is one of 1,500 people — including some convicted of assaulting police officers — included in sweeping pardons issued shortly after 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump returned to the White House

NINA RAWAL Staff Reporter

Penn released early decision admissions results for the Class of 2029 on Dec. 19, 2024, admitting nearly half of the incoming class. Over 9,500 students applied through Penn’s Early Decision Program this year — an increase from last year’s 8,500, according to a University announcement. The admitted students — including a record number of QuestBridge National College Match scholars — represent 64 countries and 48 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands. “We are thrilled to welcome our newest Quakers, applaud their many accomplishments, and eagerly anticipate the arrival of the rest of their classmates in the spring. Hurrah, hurrah for the Penn Class of 2029!” Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote in an announcement. The 2024-25 admissions cycle comes after Penn’s announcement of expanded financial aid policies for the upcoming academic year,

increasing the income threshold for full-tuition scholarships from $140,000 to $200,000 for families with typical assets. The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with three early decision admitted members of the Class of 2029 about their journeys to Penn and what excites them most about the next four years. Tatiana Jimenez plans to study international relations and economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is from Colombia but currently resides in Orlando, Fla. Jimenez said her Penn acceptance through the QuestBridge program marked a moment of joy and relief. “I found out on Dec. 2 that I got the Match Scholarship, and it was crazy,” Jimenez said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was scared of opening the decision because I was so scared of rejection. So I came home, and my brother was here, so he opened it with me.” Jimenez said her interest in the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, See STUDENTS, page 2

BEN BINDAY Senior Reporter

2010 College graduate Patrick Stedman, who was convicted of five offenses for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol, received an unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump on Monday. Stedman is one of 1,500 people — including some convicted of assaulting police officers — included in sweeping pardons issued shortly after the 1968 Wharton graduate returned to the White House. According to a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia at the time of his sentencing, Stedman was part of a “disorderly mob” during the riot, overran police lines, and entered the chambers of thenSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The press release also stated that Stedman took “selfie photos of himself on the Speaker’s Balcony” and shouted threats at police officers.

“After he was expelled from the Capitol building by police, Stedman recorded a video for his followers, explaining that he had ‘taken action’ to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election and that the ‘rats’ – as he referred to members of Congress – had ‘scurried into the tunnels’ to escape. He posted on social media that ‘patriots’ had stolen the hard drives from the Capitol and, ‘The Storm is Here,’” the press release said. “I was pretty much in the first wave, and we broke down the doors and climbed up the back part of the Capitol building and got all the way into the chambers,” Stedman said in a video shortly after departing the Capitol. Stedman, who has frequently petitioned Trump on social media to pardon individuals involved in the riot, shared his gratitude to the president for See PARDON, page 3

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