WASHINGTON — Five years ago, President Barack Obama’s stated desire to make his administration open and transparent became an internet reality when the White House unveiled its online petition site.
“We the People” was an instant hit, a place where people proposed ideas both serious and silly.
Nearly one month into the Trump administration, “We the People” is still up and running.
The page lists 20 active petitions, most of which clearly demonstrate the ideology of the author. While one calls for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, another wants an arrest warrant for financier and activist George Soros. Another demands that, if it’s “America First,” then the Netherlands should be second.
The original promise was that, once an idea gathered 5,000 signatures, the administration would comment on it.
“People posted petitions that ranged from health care to the military to animal rights to entertainment,” said Paul Hitlin, a researcher for the Pew Research Center.
“Every petition has the same opportunity to get signatures and get responses,” he said.
Obama’s initial 5,000-signature bar proved to be far too low, so the signature minimum was raised to 100,000.
As of Monday, six petitions had met or exceeded the 100,000-signature threshold. Topping the list: “Immediately release Donald Trump’s full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance.”
Also reaching the top of the heap: “Repeal the NFA.” That’s the 1943 National Firearms Act. The petitioner claims that a repeal would “remove regulations on our 2nd Amendment rights, increase national economic strength and provide protections against threats to our national security.”
There’s no indication whether anyone in the Trump White House is reading or responding to the petitions. The White House did not respond to a request to comment on the site and its future.
