There’s no denying the fact that Donald Trump is a very controversial figure. There are supporters and those who want President Trump impeached on both sides of the political spectrum. Yet, even with all of the controversy surrounding Trump and his policies, many politicians are voting for Trump to be the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner with his efforts in demilitarizing North Korea and pushing for a peace treaty with the nation.
Eighteen Republicans in the House of Representatives, led by Indiana Republican Luke Messer, sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee explaining their reasons for nominating President Trump.
“Since taking office, President Trump has worked tirelessly to apply maximum pressure on North Korea to end its illicit weapons program and bring peace to the region. His administration successfully united the international community, including China, to impose one of the most successful international sanctions regimes in history,” the letter said.
Between 2017 and early 2018, tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies were extremely high. North Korean president Kim Jong Un had been remilitarizing the small nation and testing new nuclear technology. The escalation of military weapons testing led to Donald Trump to meet with the North Korean leader to discuss peace talks. These talks have resulted in the slow demilitarization of North Korea.
Even South Korea’s president Moon-Jae stated that he felt Trump deserved the award more after suggestions that Moon should be nominated for the award.
“It’s really President Trump who should receive it; we can just take peace,” Moon said, according to his office.
Not everyone agrees that President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Many opponents point out how immaturely Trump responded to North Korea’s threats by calling Kim Jong Un “depraved” and a “menace to the world.” Trump was also quoted for telling Kim Jong Un that our own nuclear button was “bigger and more powerful” and could totally destroy the nation.
Pleasant Valley students are also divided on the issue of Trump winning the Nobel Prize. Mukul Nair, a senior at Pleasant Valley, believes that Trump is deserving of the prize. “No other President since the Korean War has been able to have any peace talks with North Korea. I’m not saying that there will be a treaty between the us and North Korea, but Trump is the closest to accomplishing peace.”
Senior Ramya Kumar, on the other hand, disagrees completely. “The Nobel Peace Prize should go to someone who promotes peace, not hateful messages and discrimination,” she said.
