These first 100 days of the Trump administration have been characterized by uncertainty, particularly concerning the President's actions and their implications on domestic and international policies. The President has vowed to restore honesty and accountability, bring change to Washington, and eliminate the legacy of the previous administration. However, the transition from campaign promises to actual policy implementation has been marked by confusion between what the President says and what his team claims.
The administration has been highly active, with the President signing numerous executive orders, dealing with Cold War-style scandals, and showing a lack of legislative progress and strategic communication. Despite early efforts to dismantle the Obama legacy, the checks and balances system in American society has proven effective, with the judiciary and citizen mobilizations countering such actions.
The President has made significant progress in areas like lobbying regulation, personnel hiring, withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, continuing the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, and eliminating Obama-era climate change measures. However, he has faced criticism for his controversial immigration policy, including the temporary closure of borders to seven predominantly Muslim countries, indefinite closure to Syrian refugees, and the "Muslim ban" which has faced legal challenges.
Domestically, the President's healthcare reform attempts and foreign policy actions have also been subject to criticism and division within the Republican party. His military response to chemical weapons use in Syria was seen as decisive, but questions remain about the long-term strategy in the Middle East.
Internationally, the President has received some praise for moderating his rhetoric and acknowledging the strategic importance of NATO. However, his approach to China and the South Asian region, as well as his stance on the Middle East conflict, remain uncertain.
The President's leadership style is characterized by tweets that reflect strong positions, while his Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense are working to reassure allies, such as in the case of the NATO alliance. The uncertainty surrounding the President's decision-making process, whether it stems from strategic unpredictability or lack of experience, adds to the ambiguity.
There is also a question regarding the President's vision for the role of the United States in the world. While his campaign suggested a period of isolationism, his presidency has shown a willingness to intervene militarily and adopt a unilateralist approach.
The President has faced significant public disapproval, with over 53% of surveyed Americans disapproving of his performance. The political landscape is expected to evolve, with the Congress playing a key role in supporting or opposing the President, and the continued mobilization of citizens as a force of opposition.
Despite these challenges, the President has managed to fulfill at least one major promise - bringing change to Washington. The direction of this change will be evaluated over the next three years and eight months of his presidency, and the first 100 days have highlighted the ongoing domestic ideological division and social polarization, as well as the return of a military-first approach to global issues.
