St. Paul Mayor Celebrates Student Loan Cancellation, Thanks President Biden

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter expresses gratitude to President Biden for the recent cancellation of his student loans, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests and decisive action from leaders.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has expressed his appreciation to President Biden for the cancellation of his student loans, highlighting the value of peaceful protests and decisive leadership. Carter proudly declared the elimination of his student debt balance on Wednesday, posting a screenshot of his Mohela account displaying a zero balance.

"Thank you, Mr. President!" Carter wrote in a tweet, accompanied by a repost from Biden's account defending his decision to bypass a Supreme Court ruling and "relieve" student debt.

Biden's post emphasized the administration's commitment to providing debt relief, particularly for Black voters who have faced systemic barriers to economic mobility. According to GovSalaries.com, Carter earned approximately $132,000 as mayor in 2021.

The Supreme Court had previously ruled 6-3 against Biden's plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt, deeming it unconstitutional. However, Biden has repeatedly pledged to continue pursuing debt relief measures.

In February, the administration announced a Savings on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan that cancels debt for borrowers who have been in repayment for at least 10 years and have $12,000 or less in student loan debt. Larger debts will receive relief after an additional year of payments for every additional $1,000 borrowed.

Biden has defended his actions, claiming that the Supreme Court ruling did not deter his administration from seeking alternative avenues for debt relief. "Early in my term, I announced a major plan to provide millions of working families with debt relief for their college student debt," Biden said. "But my MAGA Republican friends in the Congress, elected officials and special interests stepped in and sued us. And the Supreme Court blocked it. But that didn’t stop me."

Carter's gratitude for the student loan cancellation reflects his belief in the importance of affordable education and economic empowerment. He has been an advocate for peaceful protests and has stressed the need for decisive action from leaders to address systemic issues.

The cancellation of student loans for millions of Americans has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that it provides necessary financial relief and promotes economic equity, while others express concerns about its impact on taxpayers and the overall economy.

Regardless of the debate, Carter's celebration of his debt cancellation underscores the personal and societal benefits of accessible and affordable higher education. His statement also highlights the role of leadership in creating a more just and equitable society for all.