In Review: The President's First Year
President Trump delivered his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, just over a year after he was sworn into political office–– a speech many of his critics, on the left and the right, thought he would never have the opportunity to give.
Since his election, President Trump has been plagued with false media coverage in an attempt to remove him from office. Despite the staff turnover at the beginning of his first year and the Mueller special counsel, President Trump has triumphed over the fake news media and prioritized the American people and the voters who put him in office.
He has already racked up several major policy achievements, including tax legislation that is putting more money in people's pockets.
In his first year, President Trump championed his "America First" agenda in an effort to make the American economy great again. The stock market continues to rise, black unemployment in America has reached a record low, and new jobs are being created daily. To top it off, the unemployment rate is currently at 4.1 percent–– its lowest point in 10 years.
During President Trump’s campaign, he promised regulation rollbacks and the cutting of federal red tape. During his first year, he has succeeded in cutting Obama-era regulations in the education, oil, and development sectors. Approximately 860 regulations have now either been paused or nullified.
Moreover, President Trump made good on one of his largest campaign promises: to appoint conservative judges to the federal courts. When he assumed office, there were over 100 federal judicial vacancies. After appointing Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, President Trump has gone on to appoint and seat more appellate court judges than any other President in his first year.
Delivering on his campaign promise, President Trump has reshaped the judicial system in America for years to come.
He pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. President Trump stood up for America during his address to NATO, and he has continued to be unrepentant for his America First policies. Just a month ago, he announced moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, keeping another important campaign pledge.
Iraq was able to declare, during the Trump Presidency, that the war against the Islamic State was practically over after more than three years of constant conflict. ISIS lost more territory than ever during Trump’s first year at a minimal cost to the United States.
Despite the current lack of a wall on the southern border, President Trump's policies have lead to a substantial decline in illegal border crossings. Arrests along the border are at their lowest point since 1971.
While he has achieved much, President Trump can certainly improve. In the next few years, it is important that he make an effort to reach out for the support of more Americans, so that they are comfortable and satisfied with their Commander-in-Chief.
But, considering the many obstacles he has faced, President Trump has had an extraordinarily successfully year, benefiting the country, the economy, and the American people.
McKenna Keim is a columnist for the GW College Republicans' website. The opinions expressed on this blog are her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official views of the GW College Republicans.
