The White House recently launched a new webpage dedicated exclusively to President Trump’s first 100 days in office. In an opening statement, the webpage says, “In his first 100 days, President Donald J. Trump has taken bold action to restore prosperity, keep Americans safe and secure, and hold government accountable.”
There is no doubt that President Trump has attempted and accomplished much during his first three months in office. At the same time, he has fallen victim to high expectations and the lack of the traditional grace period most Presidents have been extended in their first 100 days in office.
One CNN reporter was asked how President Trump had fared during what is usually a honeymoon period. His surprisingly honest response was, “What honeymoon?”
While Trump has been quite active in fulfilling his campaign promises, he has also had to acknowledge the 100-day measure is arbitrary at best, and in today’s political climate – counterproductive at worst. This is why Trump said last week that judging presidents at the 100-day mark is a “ridiculous standard.”
The White House webpage highlights three main themes of the president’s performance thus far: government accountability, security both at home and abroad, and economic prosperity.
“At an historic pace, this president has enacted more legislation and signed more executive orders than any other president in over a half century,” the site says. It adds, “With a focus on rebuilding the military, ending illegal immigration, and restoring confidence in our economy, the president is keeping his promises to the American people.”
In an interview with The Associated Press, President Trump called his first 100 days “an artificial barrier.”
“It’s not very meaningful. I think I’ve established amazing relationships that will be used the four or eight years, whatever period of time I’m here,” he told the AP.
Facing a press determined to undermine his presidency from day one, Trump made a statement when he announced he and his staff will skip the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington to host a rally in Pennsylvania instead.
As the president nears the 100-day benchmark on Saturday, he has compiled a record big on action, but mixed on results.
Trump’s biggest and cleanest victory to date is seeing conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court in site of fierce Democratic opposition. Unlike on some other key issues, Senate Republicans stood firmly behind the president in ensuring Gorsuch was seated on the Court. By deploying the so-called “nuclear option,” the Senate changed precedent so that Gorsuch could be confirmed with a simple majority.
Trump said at Gorsuch’s swearing in, “A new optimism is sweeping across our land, and a new faith in America is filling our hearts and lifting our sights.”
However, each victory seemed to be matched with defeats.
One of Trump’s first priorities as commander-in-chief was to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare. When a vote did not happen, he said he “learned a lot about loyalty and the vote-getting process.” However, congressional Republicans have begun work on a new health care package and the president continues to voice optimism that they can get it done this time.
Trump has been most successful when he didn’t have to depend on Congress to make something happen. For example, one of his first moves as president was to sign a memorandum that cleared the way for two major oil pipeline projects previously blocked by the Obama administration. Other successes include an order to protracted environmental reviews and for enforcement of existing immigration laws.
The administration has moved aggressively on other fronts — speeding up certain thousands of deportations, moving to pull funding for sanctuary cities, and order the suspension of immigration and travel from six predominantly Muslim countries.
Though the latter two have been held up in court, Trump had made it plain that he will not back down on his commitment to increase our border security. The response of activist lower courts, like the 9th District, has only served to highlight how important the confirmation of Justice Gorsuch is.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy of out-of-the-chute productivity has cast a long shadow over all of his successors, and Trump is well aware of it.
“In office, President Trump has accomplished more in his first 100 days than any other president since Franklin Roosevelt,” the White House said in a statement accompanied by a list of executive orders and other actions the fledgling administration has taken.
As important as the first 100 days are, it is the long haul that really matters.
~ Conservative Zone
