Four Themes, One Hundred Days
President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days of his second term yesterday in a variety of ways, including a rally in Michigan where he touted a list of victories.
Politico, not known as a supporter of Trump, did deliver a reasonable analysis of four themes that—regardless of your political leanings—could be seen as emerging in that 100 day period, and beyond. “Universal Truths,” they called them.
First, this presidency matters like few before it. Politico notes that in just three months, Trump has “torn up the West’s postwar security settlement and its central economic premise”. He has “reshaped the federal government and brought some of America’s most powerful institutions to heel” with a promise to go much further. And, they note, we still have 1,361 days to go.
Second, the speed of change has been breathless, in their words…”utterly ruthless in pursuit of its goals”. Never before has the “move fast and break things” edict been applied so successfully to American government. Much of this work will not be quickly undone.
Third, Trump is pushing any and every boundary of what is possible as a president. Politico says he runs one branch of government, has the legislative branch bowing to his whims, and places the third branch, the judicial branch, under what they call “constant attack”. And they say his political opponents are in “disarray”.
Finally, Politico says Trump’s power has limits. He has backed down in the face of the bond markets. He has been aggressive with the courts but stops short of outright defying them. And he is term-limited with a full four years of what otherwise would be called “lame duck” status.
As noted, folks may disagree on whether all this change is good or bad—but that is a fair analysis of Trump 2.0, 100 days in.
