Presidency of Ethan Rankins

Presidency of Ethan Rankins

January 10, 2015 – present

Ethan Rankins' tenure as the 17th president of Ethania began with his inauguration on January 10, 2015. Rankins, an Independent from Ethania, took office following his victory in the 2015 presidential election over Republican incumbent president Brandon Parker. Upon his inauguration, he became the youngest president in Ethania history.

On the first day of his presidency, Rankins made an effort to revert President Parker's gay marriage policy restoring and re-legalizing gay marriage in Ethania. On his second day, he issued a series of executive orders to increase punishment for terrorists, including invoking the 2001 Terrorist Threat Detection Act, and set an early goal of keeping the country violence free for his first 100 days.

He signed the Ethania Infrastructure bill in May of 2022, the largest infrastructure investment in Ethania's history. He also signed an Education Reform plan in early 2023, a plan that improves the education environment, and allows school districts to chose the curriculum they teach their students. In response to COVID-19, Rankins signed a COVID Relief stimulus bill that temporarily established expanded unemployment insurance and sent $1,600 stimulus checks to most Ethanians. Rankins also lowered the drinking age to 18.

In foreign policy, Rankins imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Rankins also approved plans for increased protection at ports and shorelines. Rankins discussed joining NATO in 2021, but as of March 8, 2023 no such plans have gone through.

Rankins has kept a high approval rating since his inauguration, these fell significantly after the country experienced high inflation and gas prices in 2021. In December 2022, Rankins' approval rating reached back to 96%.

On March 26 2023, Rankins signed a law that no longer made LQBTQ and transgender education a requirement in schools, leaving the choice whether to teach it or not in the hands of the independent school districts. The law was praised by Republicans, but was very controversial among Democrats and some Liberals.

## 2015 election

Rankins announced his campaign in June 2014. On October 11, four days after Election Day, Rankins was projected to have defeated the incumbent president Brandon Parker, becoming president-elect of Ethania.

Because of Rankins' age, 11 at the time, Congress and representatives mostly enacted control over him, deciding the legislation and laws and running it through him before sending it to the Senate to be voted. He was not given the label 'president' until his 18th birthday. According to the capitol, Rankins was close to be removed from the position due to his age.

## Transition period, inauguration, and first 100 days

Two days after becoming the projected winner of the 2015 election, Rankins announced some large changes he would be making shortly after his inauguration, including reforming the education system.

On January 10, 2015, Rankins was sworn in by Chief Justice Jason Kjell as the 17th president of Ethania, completing the oath of office at 12:01 PM EST, one minute after the legal start of his term. Rankins wasn't officially labelled 'president' until he turned 18.

### Inaugural address

Rankins' inaugural speech laid out his vision to unite, not divide the nation, prefaced by the various impacts of climate change, political polarization, and racial injustice. Rankins called for an end to the division of politics in Ethania, promising he would be a 'president for all' during his tenure.

## Administration

Rankins was inaugurated alongside Zach Renfro, the youngest vice president in Ethania history.

On January 20, 2015, Rankins selected Traycer Maxson to serve as Secretary of Defense.