What are the successes of Donald Trump after a year of presidency?
Despite strong opposition, the controversial president can boast of achievements that make him popular with his electoral base.
A year ago, on January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in on the Constitution and officially became the 45th President of the United States. An atypical and controversial character, the one that nobody expected in this position took possession of the White House in a climate of extreme hostility. Very quickly, his action was met with strong opposition in Congress, on the reform of health insurance, Obamacare, in particular.
His electoral base remains loyal to him
However, twelve months after his inauguration, despite the setbacks and scandals, his supporters remained loyal to him. For much of America, Donald Trump "does the job". His anti-immigration decree targeting Muslim countries, the withdrawal of the Paris climate agreement and the transpacific free trade treaty are an opportunity for him to say that he keeps his promises. And that he applies to the letter one of his campaign slogans: “America First”.
If the president has only 39% of favorable opinions, he remains very supported by his electoral base. In the workers' strongholds of the "Rust Belt", its popularity remains high. “People can be patient. They don't necessarily think a candidate will change the world overnight. And many hold Congress responsible ”rather than Donald Trump, explains University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.
As his administration seems sclerotic with scandals and suspicions of collusion with Russia, what successes can President Trump boast of after a year in office?
A tax reform that pleases republicans
Among its greatest achievements, we can first mention its tax reform. For Americans, it will translate into a decrease of $ 1.5 trillion in taxes over ten years. Unheard of since Ronald Reagan. Even if it is the richest households and businesses that will benefit, Donald Trump appears to be a “pro business” president, which is very well regarded by Republican voters. The president also benefits from an economy in excellent shape, with unemployment falling to 4.1% in October 2017, which he owes in large part to the policies of his predecessor Barack Obama.
Appointments of judges to key positions
Another strategic area where President Trump has scored points: justice. In one year, he appointed around sixty federal judges, including one to the Supreme Court. The highest court in the United States today is dominated by conservative judges. For those opposed to abortion or gun regulation, these lifelong appointments are a long-term victory. These magistrates are able to slow down future democratic reforms over a generation.
A style of presidency that marks the spirits
Regarding the form of his presidency, whatever one thinks of the character, not a day goes by without hearing about Donald Trump. His tweets and his excesses constantly place him at the center of media attention. By breaking the codes, Donald Trump manages to impose his agenda, his pace and his ideology. This permanent transgression allows him to cultivate his image as a free electron, outside the established system. And it is this image that appealed to tens of millions of American voters at odds with the traditional elites.
Crucial midterm elections
If the record of Donald Trump's first year is viewed favorably by the hardest right, the same is not true for moderate Republicans. The extremist rhetoric of the “alt right”, promoted by Steve Bannon, his former adviser to the White House, frightens a significant part of the conservative electorate. In 2017, several candidates backed by Donald Trump suffered scathing setbacks in local elections. Will the president be able to refocus in the coming months? The real test will take place on November 6, 2018, during the general midterm elections.
