In an age where the nation’s highest office commands every headline, an editorial questions the effect of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on children. Prior to this presidency, both Democratic and Republican leaders typically avoided language inappropriate for young audiences, fueling concern about whether those standards can survive.

The editorial highlights a surge of what it calls “outrageous presidential remarks,” urging the public to take these statements seriously. By pointing to a history of such comments, including during the Trump administration, it underscores the importance of civic engagement whenever the president speaks.