Trump, “The Energizer Bunny,” hits the ground running.
While some new presidents use the first week in office to acclimate to their new surroundings, our 45th President, Donald J. Trump, sat down as a results-oriented businessman, took the reigns of power, and set in motion a whirlwind of activity, the likes of which we have never seen before. It has been just one week since his inauguration, which already seems like a distant memory.
Ronald Reagan was known for having a fast start back in 1981, but it pales in comparison to what Mr. Trump has accomplished in his first week. The work load was so busy, most journalists couldn’t comprehend the pace, Congressional Democrats stood back in awe, and the Liberal Left was stymied by his actions. Everyone else was enthusiastically thankful for the coming changes and keeping his campaign promises. On the White House web page, Mr. Trump proclaimed, “The Movement Continues – The Work Begins!”, and evidently he wasn’t kidding.
His pace of attack is reminiscent of when General George S. Patton was able to change the direction of his Third Army in mid-battle and quickly come to the relief of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Donald J. Trump has done likewise, going from being a private businessman to taking Washington, DC by storm.
During his first week, Mr. Trump signed numerous executive orders, held meetings with different groups to promote business in America, gave speeches and was interviewed on television not just once but twice, as well as several other significant items of interest. In the process, he made a favorable impression on different groups who didn’t necessarily support him during his campaign, but are now impressed enough to give him a chance. According to a Labor Union spokesman, “The respect he just showed us is nothing short of incredible.”
Below is a summary of the major events of the past week:
EXECUTIVE ORDERS SIGNED:
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies – Jan 20th
Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Mexico City Policy – Jan 23rd
Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze – Jan 23rd
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline – Jan 24th
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline – Jan 24th
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of American Pipelines – Jan 24th
Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements – Jan 25th
President Trump Releases National School Choice Week Proclamation – Jan 26th
MEETINGS:
Saturday – The President visited CIA Headquarters; pledged support.
Wednesday – The President sits down with ABC News for first presidential interview.
Thursday – The President flies to Philadelphia to address the GOP Policy Retreat.
Thursday – Sean Hannity of Fox News interviews the President.
Friday – VP Mike Pence addresses the 44th March for Life in Washington, DC (first VP to do so).
CONFIRMATION OF ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENTS:
Monday
– Mike Pompeo as CIA Director.
Tuesday
– Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
– Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation.
– Wilbur Ross as Secretary of Commerce.
– Nikki Haley as U.N. Ambassador.
In process –
– Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State (committee approved but waiting final vote).
– Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) for Health and Human Services Secretary.
– Wilbur L. Ross for Commerce Secretary.
– Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) for Budget Director.
– Sen. Jeff Sessions for Attorney General.
– Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education.
– Philip Bilden for Secretary of the Navy (nominated this week).
– Heather Wilson for Secretary of the Air Force (nominated this week).
OTHER:
– Tuesday – The President had a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
– Wednesday – The President called for a major investigation into voter fraud.
– Wednesday – Top Mexican officials met at the White House with President Donald Trump’s team to discuss relations.
– Wednesday – The Trump State Department holds Obama’s $221M for Palestinians.
– Thursday – There is a cleaning of the house of top management at the State Department and Border Patrol.
– Thursday – The President tweets the Mexican President should cancel his scheduled visit to Washington if Mexico refuses to pay for the border wall.
COMING THIS WEEK:
– Saturday – The President will have a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
– Thursday – The President will nominate an Associate Supreme Court justice to replace Antonin Scalia who died in 2016.
Despite all this, the president still had time to send out several Tweets and take swipes at the news media.
It should also be noted the Dow Jones Industrial Average cracked the 20,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday. This could be construed as growing confidence in American business.
Actually, none of this should be surprising as this is what happens when you elect an outsider to office, not a politician but a successful businessman. Mr. Trump’s dizzying pace is trying to demonstrate to the country what can be done if you are organized, have objectives and a sense of urgency, and know how to deliver.
The President is confounding the naysayers, particularly the press, who claim, “You can’t do that!” However, as an outsider, Mr. Trump sees no problem in breaking with protocol. By doing so, he is demonstrating how it is possible to overcome procrastination and deliver on campaign promises.
As a former businessman, Mr. Trump understands the importance of thanking his people, recognizing achievement, and expressing his appreciation, thereby strengthening confidence and pride in his people, while earning their loyalty. We saw this at his meetings at CIA Headquarters and at the Department of Homeland Security. His message at these two locations included a couple of important corporate messages: it is no longer “business as usual,” and the running of the government should not include politics. We are also witnessing a cleaning of the house at various high-level administrative heads have been asked to resign as the Trump era begins.
At his current pace, by the time Mr. Trump delivers his State of the Union address to the Congress on February 28th, just one month away, the country should be substantially different than when he was inaugurated on January 20th. Just as he set records for TV viewership on the campaign trail, look for his State of the Union to exceed the previous record of 67 million viewers. However, let us not be confused, the ratings only indicate how well his message was spread. Results are what is omnipotent and driving Mr. Trump.
Our President’s frenetic pace makes me wonder what super vitamin supplement he is taking. Whatever it is, he should bottle it and sell it by the truckloads as he is inspiring to watch.
Keep the Faith!
