Tag: Trump

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How Did Trump Do in 2017?

As President Trump’s first year in office nears a close, how do his accomplishments stack up against his campaign promises? How do Trump’s achievements meet expectations – both for those who voted for him, and those who didn’t?
Trump Has Exceeded All Expectations So Far  |  Fox Business [2017-12-22]

CBS News Washington Correspondents reflect on Trump’s first year | Face the Nation [2017-12-24]

Many of those who supported Donald Trump hold that the list of his accomplishments and fulfilled promises during 2017 is exemplary. Though it’s not exactly true that the number is “record-breaking,” as Trump stated about the number of pieces of legislation he’s signed into law, supporters say they’re pleased with what Donald Trump has gotten done.

Whether Trump’s achievements are seen as successes or whether they are troubling, however, depends on perspective. For those who don’t share the worldview of Donald Trump, or at least of his supporters, promises are on level with threats. And sometimes, the view of whether a promise is fulfilled (or a threat is followed through on) depends on semantics, or…spin.

Below are some of the items the White House recently listed as fulfilled promises:

  • Lowered the national unemployment rate: Sarah Huckabee Sanders states that there are currently 1.7 million new jobs, and that the U.S. unemployment rate is currently at 4.1 percent.
  • Saw record Stock Market highs.
  • Created smaller government: For every on new regulation on business, Trump has rolled back 22 existing regulations.
  • Increased protection for U.S. industry and jobs: The U.S. withdrew from or began renegotiating trade deals.
  • Established energy independence: The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.
  • Approved the Keystone XL and Dakota access pipelines.
  • Directed the EPA to end the “War on Coal” (lifted Obama’s moratorium on federal coal leasing and ended Obama’s Clean Power Plan that focused on limiting emissions from coal-burning power plants).
  • Reduced the number of illegal U.S. border crossings.
  • Moved closer to building the U.S.- Mexico border wall (we now have eight wall prototypes under consideration).
  • Defeated ISIS (eliminated many ISIS strongholds).
  • Reshaped the American judiciary system (Confirmed Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court and confirmed 22 other Federal judges).
  • Reinstated the Mexico City Policy. (The Policy blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that support decriminalization of abortion or provide abortion services, or seek to expand abortion services).
  • Passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
  • Repealed the “Obamacare” individual mandate (as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).

Can these be considered promises kept, or threats carried out? Or do some of them spin somewhere in a third category?

Sarah Sanders Lists Trump Accomplishments  |  InfoWars.com War Room [2017-12-20]

Reality Check: Trump’s Accomplishments, So Far |  WCCO CBS Minnesota [2017-11-01]

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U.S. Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital; U.N. General Assembly Rejects Move

On December 6, President Trump announced that the U.S. will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump also stated plans to eventually move the United States embassy there from its current location in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem, a key piece in the peace process between Israel and Palestine, has been divided since 1967, with East Jerusalem occupied by Palestine. Trump’s move only declares official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but does not establish or move city boundaries for Israelis or Palestinians.

On December 21, however, the United Nations General Assembly voted to reject Trump’s position on Jerusalem. In the vote, 128 nations supported the U.N. General Assembly stance that the United States’ move will have no legal impact over Jerusalem. Nine countries voted against the U.N. position, and 35 abstained.

UN Overwhelmingly Condemns Trump’s Jerusalem Decision | CBS This Morning |  [2017-12-22]

UN Votes to condemn US decision on Jerusalem | Fox News [2017/12/21]

Up to now, the United States has refrained from officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The sensitive issue of Jerusalem, its boundaries, and its status, has long been seen as one of the ultimate considerations in the final peace negotiation process between Israel and Palestine. Many feel Trump’s move signifies that the United States has abandoned its neutral position in Israel-Palestine peace negotiations, and that as a result, the process has been disrupted.

What’s more, Trump’s decision is said to be in violation of several U.N. Security council resolutions pertaining to the Israel-Palestine conflicts. It also is seen as endorsing a move by Israel that may be a violation of a portion of the Geneva Convention that “prohibits appropriation of lands won in war to the territory of an existing nation,” according to CBS’ Jeffrey Wright.

UN Condemns Trump’s Jerusalem Decision | CBS News [2017/12/21]

US should dial back the rhetoric against UN: Larry Korb | Fox Business [2017/12/21]

The city of Jerusalem is considered holy to three major religions. It’s where Solomon is said to have built the first Jewish temple; where Christ is said to have been crucified; and where the prophet Mohammed is said to have ascended to heaven.

One issue that has not widely been discussed regarding the question of why Trump made such a move is the fact that Jerusalem is significant to American Evangelical Christians (81 percent of whom voted for Trump). The city figures significantly in what Evangelicals refer to as the “end times.” In order for Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled, they say, Jerusalem needs to be in the control of Israel. In order for Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to his base, Jerusalem needs to be recognized as the Israeli capital.

Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the U.S. embassy there has exacerbated hostility from groups who align solidly with the Palestinians. On the other hand, since the U.N. has trounced support of the decision, many feel Trump’s move will be contained in its worldwide impact.

 

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