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Great Again or Not
Important moves since Inauguration. It has been a busy six months. - Flynn named Natl Security Advisor almost immediately forced to resign when it is revealed he might be compromised by Russian Intelligence, and he lied to Pence. A week after Flynn's resignation. Gen H. R. McMaster was named as his replacement.
- Neil Gorsuch confirmed to the Supreme Court by 54 votes including all R's and 3 D's.
- Ban on visas from six Muslim countries issued, contested in federal courts, ultimately upheld by Supreme Court.
- Out of the TPA (Trans Pacific Trade Agreement). No word on any alternative attempt to check China's power in East Asia.
- Out of the Paris Accord (Climate Change Accord). Continued denial that climate change is a threat we must address. Most EPA regulations designed to reverse carbon emissions growth rescinded. An ice shelf in Antarctica the size of Delaware breaks away from the continent.
- Sticking with NAFTA for the time being.
- Executive orders reversed environmental protections on coal mining, clean water and methane emissions controls
- Controversial appointments to cabinet positions including DeVos to Education which required a Pence tie breaking vote for confirmation.
- Other Cabinet appointments included of critics of the departments they are expected to lead including Tom Price to HHS, and Rick Perry to Energy.
- Tillerson's appointment to Secretary of State was not as controversial, but the CEO of Exxon Mobile is not experienced in government or diplomacy. At the end of six months the State Department is significantly degraded.
- Sessions' priorities for the Justice Department include pressure on illegal immigration. Crackdown on criminal organizations. Pressure on sanctuary cities.
- Sessions position that marijuana reform would make the opioid problem worse is contradicted by medical studies that show medical marijuana can help with pain control and reduce addiction. Session unswayed in his opposition to marijuana.
- Deteriorating North Korea, Venezuela, NATO, Middle East, Philippines, etc situations.
- Deteriorating Russian and Chinese assistance in dealing with North Korea. Increased Russian aid to N.K.
- Confrontation intensifying with China over disputed islands in South China sea.
- Russian maneuvers and consolidation of positions in eastern Ukraine do not draw official notice by the U.S.
- Russian threats to NATO members Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Pence visits and reassures that NATO Article V makes America the Baltic States best ally.
- More N.K. ICBM launches extend range to most of the continental US. More US THAAD anti ballistic missile tests. Military deployments to Sea of Japan. Assurance by Trump that the U.S. will "handle" the N.K. situation.
- After initial omission to confirm his support for Article V, Trump confirms that Article 5 of NATO treaty is in effect. (An attack on one is an attack on all.)
- ISIS driven from Mosul. Arms overtly provided to Kurds, dismaying Turkey (NATO ally).
- Proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran continuing in Yemen.
- Qatar enters an odd dispute with UAE that may have been the result of a foreign cyber attack.
- Reversed sanctions relief for Cuba, left embassies open and embargo in effect.
- Certified Iran compliance with nuclear deal then imposed new sanctions for their ballistic missile program. Iran complained that this was a violation of the treaty.
- Numerous undisclosed meetings before the election with Russians close to Putin and Russian Intelligence Officers by numerous staffers, including Paul Manafort, AG Jeff Sessions, son in law Jared Cushner, son Donald Trump Jr., among other Trump campaign personnel. Failure to disclose the meetings on disclosure forms would invalidate Security clearances and is illegal. Sessions even testified at his confirmation hearing that he had not met with Russians. Lack of administration transparency on the purpose and outcome of the meetings.
- Firing of FBI Director James Comey, ostensibly for reasons of incompetence mentioned in letter attached to termination. Admission by Trump on TV that Russia investigation was real reason for firing Comey.
- Creation of a Special Investigator Robert Muller to investigate Russia interference in election, possible collusion, and possible obstruction of justice.
- Sanctions on Russia for election meddling approved by super-majority of Congress. Trump position unclear, since he cannot sustain a veto, he may sign the bill. Pence while travelling in Eastern Europe signals that he will sign "soon." Trump signs the bill on August 2nd, but calls the bill "seriously flawed."
- Trump remains unwilling to accept the opinion of all his intelligence services that Russia interfered with the US elections. His equivocating replies to direct questions are that they and others might have interfered, that only four not all 13 of his intelligence services agree.
- Russia retaliates by ordering 755 US diplomats expelled. Trump oddly silent on this action.
- Obamacare repeal defeated in the Senate on July 28 by 49-51 vote (incl 3 R no votes). Trump claims he was right advising that we let it implode then replace. Later he back tracks and says the Senate should not move on to anything else until Obamacare is repealed.
- Continued calls by Trump for McConnell to change Senate's cloture rule from 60 to 51 votes.
- Trump tweets Transgender to be excluded from the military Tweet confuses and angers chain of command. Nothing happens.
- Scaramuchi named Director of Communications results in Spicer and Preibus resignations.
- Trump's disappointment with AG Session's decision to recuse himself from Russia investigation tweeted.
- More Trump disappointment in Sessions' failure to prosecute Hillary.
- Weirdly vulgar and political speech to Boy Scout Jamboree.
- Advice to police to be less gentle with (MS-13) suspects.
- Scaramuchi's vulgar criticisms of Preibus and Bannon published.
- Gen Kelly takes over as Chief of Staff. Scaramuchi resigns.
- Equity markets reach record levels on good earnings and economic growth but perhaps also on expectations of corporate tax relief.
- Job market tightens as unemployment drops, however wages remain stubbornly low.
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