Here’s what Trump’s done in his first week as President
Forget the first 100 days. Here's what he's done this week
When he announced his candidacy people feared that Donald Trump would lack the experience, charisma, and ability to become a successful President. But, The Donald has already done more than anyone expected in his first week as President. Normally, American presidents are judged against the symbolic milestone of their first 100 days in office, but here is what Trump has done in his first week in office.
During the campaign Trump frequently criticised the Obama government, even threatening to repeal deals like the Iranian Nuclear agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which he called a ‘disaster’.
Just hours after being sworn in, Trump signed an executive order asking for his administration to undo as much of the Affordable Care Act as possible. During his campaign Trump described the controversial healthcare policy better known as Obamacare as: ‘Horrible healthcare’, even telling ABC News’ David Muir: ‘It doesn’t cover what you have to cover. It’s a disaster. You know it and I know it.’ Given the unpopularity of Obamacare with Republican voters it is not at all surprising Barack’s legacy was Trump’s first target.
It is not at all surprising Barack’s legacy was Trump’s first target
As well as dismantling the former administration’s prized policies, Trump has started work on some of his own. Trump’s showpiece campaign policy was undoubtedly his Mexican border wall. Few believed it would ever materialise, and fewer still thought it would be an actual wall. But they were wrong, he is building the wall.
On 25th January Trump signed an executive order to build an ‘impassable physical barrier’ and also called for an additional 5,000 border patrol agents. Moreover, Trump also reiterated his claim that Mexico will pay the estimated $12 billion needed for the wall, causing outrage for with many south of the border.
Mexico will pay the estimated $12 billion needed for the wall
The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers.
The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2017
of jobs and companies lost. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2017
After the announcement that the American government would be starting work on the wall, the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, said his country would not be paying for Trump’s wall. Trump responded by tweeting: ‘the U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico’ and saying that if they refused to pay for the wall, he would slap a 20% import tax on all Mexican goods. Subsequently, the Mexican has cancelled his planned trip to meet with Trump.
Unlike her Mexican counterpart, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, did not cancel her trip to meet with the 45th American President. She became the first international leader to meet with Trump. Although she was clear that the ‘special relationship’ won’t be like the days of Bush and Blair, May was optimistic about US-UK relationships because, as she said, ‘sometimes opposites attract’.
May was optimistic about US-UK relationships
Most memorably Trump and his press team started their war on the media. In his first press briefing the President’s White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sean Spicer, reportedly launched a tirade against the assembled reporters.
Spicer then accused the mainstream media (MSM) of ‘deliberately’ belittling the size of crowds at Trump’s inauguration. Spicer claimed that Trump had drawn ‘the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration — period — both in person and around the globe.’ When confronted with evidence proving that this was not the case, Kellyanne Conway said that Spicer had simply offered ‘alternative facts’.
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