As analysts weighed in on President Donald Trump’s first 30 days in office on President’s Day Monday, the White House listed a series of measures the administration has taken during the first month to achieve results for Americans.
The president’s first month in the Oval Office, the White House says, aimed at jump-starting job creation, saving taxpayers’ money, restoring public safety, getting government out of the way, pursuing an America First foreign policy, draining the swamp, keeping his promise to defend the Constitution, and helping women succeed in business.
Meanwhile, political observers and analyses in the media also pointed out a spate of challenges the Trump Administration faced during the first month. Critics have questioned the White House approach to national security issues including the handling of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s ouster after controversy over Russian contacts and the Executive Order restricting entry of citizens of seven Middle Eastern and African countries to the United States. The travel ban has been frozen under Court orders and the Administration is now working to streamline the measure.
In the economic arena, President Trump’s pledge to introduce tax reform, ramp up infrastructure spending, and go ahead with energy pipeline projects have generated optimism among businesses, with the Wall Street reacting to his promise with record stock market highs.
But the first 30 days of the new administration have also seen a fight brewing between the president and the media.The president has said he would call out the media for what he terms as “fake news.” He has also called the “fake news” media an enemy of the American people.
On the international stage, the Trump Administration has pulled the U.S. out of a Tans-Pacific Trade Agreement involving Asian countries in the South China Sea region, and is seeking to reassure NATO allies of cooperation while demanding their enhanced financial input, as it reorients Washington toward an America First foreign policy – a massive undertaking.
Away from Washington, Trump is reconnecting with the people in a campaign style outreach, saying “life is a campaign.” Observers say while some of Trump’s policies have drawn criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans, support for the president remains steadfast and strong among his backers, particularly in small town and rural America.
Here is how the White House recounted President Trump’s work in the first 30 days:
JUMPSTARTING JOB CREATION: President Trump is looking out for American workers that Washington has left behind.
· President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the United States to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and agreement.
· President Trump hosted the CEO of Intel to announce Intel’s plan to invest $7 billion in a United States factory that will create 10,000 American jobs.
· President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum to clear roadblocks to construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
· President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access Pipeline serves the national interest and initiating the process to complete construction.
· President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering that all new pipeline construction and repair work use materials and equipment from the United States.
· President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to block the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
· President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 41, to eliminate a costly regulation that threatened to put domestic extraction companies and their employees at an unfair disadvantage.
SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY: President Trump is fighting to save Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars.
· After negotiations with Lockheed Martin, President Trump saved Americans $700 million on a new batch of F-35 fighters.
· Secretary of Defense Mattis has ordered a cost-cutting review of Boeing’s next-generation Air Force One fleet, after President Trump was able to cap the cost at millions below that which was agreed to by the Obama administration.
RESTORING PUBLIC SAFETY: President Trump will work to reduce the threats of crime and illegal immigration to public safety.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order to enhance the safety and security of the United States by, among other things, constructing a wall on the southern border.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order to make sure Federal immigration laws are faithfully enforced throughout the country and that Americans’ tax dollars do not go to jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of immigration laws.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order that directs the Attorney General to develop a strategy to more effectively prosecute people who engage in crimes against law enforcement officers.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order that establishes a task force, led by the new Attorney General, to reduce crime and restore public safety in communities across America.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order that re-focuses the Federal Government’s energy and resources on dismantling transnational criminal organizations, such as drug cartels.
GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY: President Trump understands that excessive regulations stifle job-creation and harm our businesses.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing Federal agencies “to minimize the burden” of the Affordable Care Act.
· President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
· President Trump directed the Commerce Department to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order expediting the environmental review and approval processes for domestic infrastructure projects.
AN AMERICA FIRST FOREIGN POLICY: The President’s first priority is the safety and security of the American people.
· Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned 25 entities and individuals involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program.
· President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense to work with other cabinet members to develop a plan to defeat ISIS.
· President Trump has called or met with more than 30 foreign leaders.
DRAINING THE SWAMP: President Trump has taken action to ensure that all members of his Administration are working for the American people.
· President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing new ethics commitments for all Executive branch appointees, putting in place a five-year lobbying ban and a permanent ban on lobbying for foreign governments, so appointees serve the American people instead of their own interests.
· President Trump put in place a hiring freeze for Federal civilian employees to stop the growth of a bloated government.
KEEPING HIS PROMISE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION: President Trump promised a Supreme Court justice in the mold of late justice Antonin Scalia.
· President Trump nominated Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court because of his consistent record defending the Constitution.
HELPING WOMEN SUCCEED IN BUSINESS: President Trump knows the country cannot reach its potential unless every American has a chance to prosper.
· President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the United States-Canada Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs.
