Inauguration Day 2018 marks the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency. As we look back on the year this administration has had, let’s remember all the memorable moments.
1. Crowd Size
Trump began his term by bragging about the attendance at his inauguration, even though Barack Obama clearly had a larger audience in 2009. The highlight of this drama was easily the introduction of “alternative facts” by Kellyane Conway on Chuck Todd’s Meet the Press.
2. Court Orders
Much of Trump’s controversial policies, such as the travel ban on Muslim-majority nations and the DACA repeal, have been successfully challenged in court for violating the Bill of Rights. The travel ban case has already gone to the Supreme Court.
3. Trumpcare Failures
Trump’s most publicized blunder was his inability to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, in spite of having majorities in both houses of Congress. Many members of Congress had not even read the bill while it was being debated and its popularity bottomed out at 12 percent. Passing any right-wing healthcare reform became practically unattainable with Americans protesting the legislation’s Medicaid cuts and lack of protections for preexisting conditions.
Nothing had been accomplished on the healthcare front until the passage of the tax bill, which repealed the individual mandate.
4. Tax Cuts
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was the first legislative victory for the presidency. Similar to Trumpcare, this piece of legislation was under fire for the lack of congressional debate and had very little support from the American people. Despite all this, the Republicans passed the bill with no Democratic votes.
5. Firings and Resignations
One of the most infamous parts of the Trump administration is their high staff turnover. The list of loyal supporters that were kicked to the curb include Sean Spicer, Reince Priebus and Tom Price. The most controversial departures were Anthony Scaramucci, who only lasted ten days and Steve Bannon, who was Trump’s chief strategist and campaign manager.
Entire councils and advisory groups disbanded in protest of Trump’s actions. Last week, three-fourths of the National Parks Advisory Council resigned. But the most infamous instance was the mass resignation of the President’s American Manufacturing Council after the Unite the Right rally in August.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the overall staff turnover was 34 percent.
6. Russia
This is the topic that has loomed over Trump since his campaign. After Trump admitted that he fired then-FBI Director James Comey over the Russia investigation, Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel was created and each new discovery has only stoked suspicions against Trump. Comparisons to Nixon were almost inevitable.
His possible financial dealings and collusion with the Russian government during the 2016 election have culminated in congressional hearings and calls for impeachment.
With a government shutdown underway, America can expect more turmoil and controversy out of this administration.
Featured Image: BBC
