Yes, Trump Has Accomplished a Lot in His First 100 Days
Detractors point to a handful of campaign promises that haven't been entirely fulfilled yet, while ignoring Trump's vast successes.
President Donald Trump finishes his 100th day in office. Everyone’s eagerly picking apart his record. How did he do?
During his presidential campaign, he issued a first 100-day action plan called the “Contract With the American Voter.” It promised he’d take significant action for economic prosperity, security both at home and abroad, and government accountability. Trump said he would repeal and replace ObamaCare, crack down on illegal immigration and pursue a tax overhaul.
Trump issued a statement declaring success. “In office, President Trump has accomplished more in his first 100 days than any other president since Franklin Roosevelt.”
On Tuesday, Trump declared success. The press office said: “President Trump has accomplished more in his first 100 days than any other president since Franklin Roosevelt.” He’s completed many items in the Contract and started others.
How did Trump accomplish all this? He admits he is a workaholic who works long hours and gets by on very little sleep. His wife and son still live in New York City. Asked if that made him lonely, he said, “No, because I end up working longer. And that’s OK.”
Let’s break down what the president has done in his first 100 days.
Boosted the Economy
The economy is booming. Under Trump, the stock market reached record highs. The debt decreased by $100 billion. He added 298,000 jobs in his first month alone.
Confirmed a Conservative Supreme Court Justice
Despite Democrats’ efforts to filibuster Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, Trump prevailed. Senate Republicans used the “nuclear option” to change Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote to defeat the filibuster.
Challenged the Mainstream Media’s Fake News
Trump figured out he could go around the biased mainstream media to speak directly to Americans. He repeatedly calls out the media for fake news. Trump has somewhat discredited the mainstream media while elevating conservative media like Fox News and Breitbart.
Getting Tough on Terror
Although Trump was initially hesitant to engage Syria, he changed his mind after reports that the government launched a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians. He ordered the launch of 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airfield. It sent a strong message to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Trump’s actions were largely approved of worldwide.
In other actions, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and restored America’s alliance with Israel. He obtained the release of Aya Hijazi, an American charity worker held in Egypt since 2014. He successfully convinced the Chinese to cooperate in pressuring the North Korea country when the rogue country threatened to use missiles. The Department of Treasury sanctioned 25 connected to Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Trump will have signed 30 executive orders by today, the most of any president in their first 100 days since World War II.
Trump will have signed 30 executive orders by today. This is the most of any president in his first 100 days since World War II. Trump’s EOs started the process for building the wall with Mexico, repealing Obamacare and other campaign promises.
Gave the Pro-Life Movement Three Victories
Trump repealed an Obama mandate that forced states to fund Planned Parenthood. He reinstated a Reagan-era policy against taxpayer funding of overseas abortions. He stopped U.S. funding to the United Nations Population Fund, which funds abortions.
Supported Conservatives and Christians
Trump demonstrated he is a friend to Christians and conservatives. He chose Indiana Governor Mike Pence — “I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order” — as his vice president. He appointed other Christian leaders like Dr. Ben Carson to top positions. He repealed Obama’s transgender public school bathroom mandate.
Cut Regulations
Trump signed an EO freezing federal hiring. Another EO requires that two regulations be repealed for every new one issued. He rolled back Obama environmental infringements on private property. A fourth EO prevents future taxpayer-funded bailouts.
Allowed Construction of Keystone and Dakota Pipelines
Trump signed a presidential memorandum that allows the construction of two major oil pipeline projects to go forward. Obama had blocked the Keystone XL and the Dakota Access pipelines.
Got a Lot Accomplished With Congress
Through the Congressional Review Act, Trump’s got Congress to rescind 11 regulations. Until this year, the CRA had been used successfully only once — in 2001. It was passed in 1996 as part of the Contract With America.
Two of the measures Trump repealed include regulations governing the coal industry and a restriction on the disabled owning firearms. He also shifted federal control of public lands back to local and state governments.
Started Important Long-term Projects
The president got some major projects started, but with the intense political opposition he faces, they’ll take more than 100 days to settle.
Trump said he would build a “big beautiful border wall” and make Mexico pay for it. He passed an executive order in January calling for this. Congress is balking at the funding, and the Democrats promise hard resistance. Even so, illegal immigration is down 67 percent since he took office.
Trump signed an executive order curtailing federal funding to sanctuary cities. A federal district court judge halted the order. Trump tweeted in response, “See you in the Supreme Court!”
He suffered a similar setback with an executive order implementing a travel ban on refugees from dangerous countries. He intends to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court too.
Congress hasn’t passed a repeal and replacement of Obamacare. The House Freedom Caucus rejected the first bill. But he’s back to the bargaining table again and they’re working with him on a revised bill.
Trump also promised tax cuts. He just proposed a plan to reduce the burden on business and individuals.
Compared to Other Presidents
How does Trump’s record stack up against other presidents’ accomplishments during their first 100 days? Not badly. Better than John F. Kennedy’s, with the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion, for example.
How much can you really conclude from a president’s first 100 days? Most analysts agree not much. Trump called a president’s first 100 days “an artificial barrier.” “It’s not very meaningful,” he wrote on Twitter on April 21, “No matter how much I accomplish during the ridiculous standard of the first 100 days, & it has been a lot (including S.C.) [Supreme Court], media will kill!”
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