President Joe Biden's order to forgive student debt has prompted criticism. Christian Watson, the spokesperson for Color Us United, a nonpartisan nonprofit aimed at eliminating discriminatory diversity, equity and inclusion policies instituted by corporations, criticized the president in a now-viral video. The video has garnered 1.7 million views on Twitter.
“It's out. I discuss why I, a 22-year-old student loan debt holder, want nothing to do with Biden's student loan debt forgiveness handle,” Watson tweeted on Aug. 24.
“When I went to college I studied philosophy. This is flagrant. I respect my obligations as a loan holder. I also intend in the spirit of our Declaration and the spirit of America’s Constitutional ethos, recognize where my duty is,” Watson said in the viral video.
During a July 2021 press briefing, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi acknowledged Biden does not have the power to forgive student debt, according to Forbes.
“People think that the president of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness,” Pelosi said. “He does not. He can postpone, he can delay, but he does not have that power.”
Pelosi said student loan forgiveness can only be executed through “an act of Congress.” Pelosi has since taken a different stance in the matter.
“President Biden’s bold action is a strong step in Democrats’ fight to expand access to higher education and empower every American to reach fulfillment," she said in an Aug. 24 statement. "By delivering historic targeted student debt relief to millions of borrowers, more working families will be able to meet their kitchen table needs as they continue to recover from the challenges of the pandemic."
Biden campaigned on cancelling student debt, according to Forbes.
“I’m going to eliminate your student debt if you come from a family [making less] than $125,000 and went to a public university,” Biden said on the 2020 campaign trail. “I’m going to make sure everyone gets $10,000 knocked off of their student debt in response to economic hardships caused by the pandemic.”
Color Us United President Kenny Xu said in an email newsletter that Watson was subjected to personal attacks on Twitter regarding his stance on the topic.
“And yet, you see that none of them can actually dispute Christian’s points. As this video continues to gain traction, we are excited to watch Christian go on national media later this week to defend fundamental American values,” Xu wrote. “Biden’s loan ‘forgiveness’ privileges one group of Americans over another. Particularly, debt holders over Americans who chose not to go to college or simply not to take out loans.”