Healthcare amelioration, immigration reinforcement, and infrastructure expansion were the major policy objectives underpinning President Trump's Congressional speech. During his highly anticipated first address to congress, the President did not shy away from promoting his contentious campaign promises, but adopted a more conciliatory tone as he did so. The President did not dwell from the wording of the hour-long speech, and his delivery was measured.
From the outset, it was clear that he preferred being able to work together with Democrats and other members of the opposition in Congress, in order to determine what is best for the country.
Appeasing tone a welcome change
For the first time since assuming office more than a month ago, Trump attempted to extend an olive branch to the opposition, as well as the millions of Americans who endorsed alternative candidates with their votes. For a moment it seemed as if the tenebrous atmosphere he had created during his inauguration address had lifted in favor of an appeasing return to the values that make America great, including the patriotic mandate to enable each and every citizen to achieve their hopes and dreams.
Trump emphasized his vision to set the country on a path to a new apex in prominence as the leader of the free world, unencumbered by the threats posed by America's enemies. Hate crimes and evil forces will no longer be tolerated, according to the President.
In an uncharacteristic move, the President seemed to soften his stance on immigration, which could potentially lead to a significant shift in policy that may include a clear path to legal residency for undocumented immigrants.
An agenda that dodges details
Trump's congressional speech may have been generous with plans, but procedural details were notably absent. He did, however, provide some theories as to how to offset the proposed $1 trillion cost of his monumental national infrastructure upgrades and expansion.
While unable to provide an indication of who would pay for the wall on the border between the U.S. and Mexico, Trump remained resolute in his insistence that construction would begin in the near future.
While addressing healthcare reform, Trump was seen to be backing away from his campaign pledge of totally repealing and replacing the affordable care act with universal coverage. This week the President expressed his frustration at how difficult he was finding it to come up with workable alternatives to ObamaCare. The President presented a few general Republican healthcare principles as alternatives, but stopped short of advocating for full universal coverage.
Members of his own party recently criticized the President for decreasing Department of State funding in favor of an increase in funding to the Department of Defense.
In order to account for this adjustment, Trump referred to the country's military veterans as deserving of increased benefits.
First days in office more controversial than constructive
Trump failed to acknowledge the many concerns weighing down on his young administration. Contrary to the President's impromptu declarations of unparalleled progress during his first month in office, the administration has been more pre-occupied with trying to dispel various controversies than implementing any meaningful legislation. T
rump's contentious executive orders, such as the infamous Muslim-ban and the initiation of preliminary measures to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, have received widespread condemnation, as well as judicial obstruction.
A noticeably absent talking point was the F.B.I.'s ongoing investigation into the nature and scope of the Trump campaign's relationship with Moscow. The cumulative effect of these issues can be seen in the President's anomalously low approval rating of just 44 percent. Time will tell if Trump's congressional speech had any impact on public sentiment.